1
as in deterioration
a change to a lower state or level
a singing career on the downgrade
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in downhill
a downward slope
the gentle downgrade of the parking area is designed for drainage
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to demote
to bring to a lower grade or rank
increased automation resulted in many jobs in the factory being downgraded
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to reduce
to diminish the price or value of
the company's filing for Chapter 11 downgraded the stock to the point where it was selling for pennies a share
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of downgrade
PC Magazine, 26 Nov. 2025
Curry entered Wednesday listed as questionable, and the downgrade comes hours before tip-off.
—Ricardo Sandoval, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Nov. 2025
Jonny Williams, The Providence Journal, 7 Jan. 2026
Kidney concerns that feel urgent but are quietly downgraded.
—Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for downgrade
Noun
The trade-off is that the plan restricts the download rate to 100Mbps, a significant downgrade from the 250Mbps and up to 400Mbps+ speeds of Residential Lite and Residential.
—PC Magazine, 26 Nov. 2025
Curry entered Wednesday listed as questionable, and the downgrade comes hours before tip-off.
—Ricardo Sandoval, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Nov. 2025
Verb
Rhode Island’s Department of Health has confirmed its recommendations for childhood vaccinations remain unchanged after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently downgraded its own.
—Jonny Williams, The Providence Journal, 7 Jan. 2026
Kidney concerns that feel urgent but are quietly downgraded.
—Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for downgrade
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downgrade
Noun
-
Footage of the bunker’s deterioration has attracted global attention after Robinson and Charlton began posting videos online.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Jan. 2026
-
It is intended to slow the deterioration of streets that currently are in good condition, which is considered vital to improving the overall condition of San Diego’s network of roads, according to the city.—
Ashley Mackin Solomon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
For skiing and snowboarding, Terry Peak, the Midwest's highest downhill ski area, is about 20 miles south of Spearfish and offers multiple runs and lifts.—
Ashlyn Ware,
Midwest Living,
7 Jan. 2026
-
The resort will host the best men’s and women’s downhill racers, including Lindsey Vonn, for their final events before the Milan Cortina Olympics in February.—
Jamey Keaten,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Hegseth is attempting to retroactively demote Kelly from his retired rank of captain.—
Joey Cappelletti,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Ike Howard came over from the Tampa Bay Lightning in a trade, started the season in Edmonton and was then demoted to the AHL.—
Allan Mitchell,
New York Times,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
During his January 2025 State of the State address, Little called for tax cuts that could reduce the state’s general fund by about $100 million.—
Sarah Cutler,
Idaho Statesman,
9 Jan. 2026
-
To reduce sizes, builders are going back to open floor plans with fewer hallways.—
Lew Sichelman,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
Drafts can pass downward, as well.—
Lee Wallender,
The Spruce,
16 Jan. 2026
-
The rash generally appears three to five days after the first symptoms, beginning as flat red spots on the face and then spreading downward to the neck, trunk, arms, legs, and feet.—
Dan Raby,
CBS News,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The report describes a kind of doom loop of AI dependence, where students increasingly off-load their own thinking onto the technology, leading to the kind of cognitive decline or atrophy more commonly associated with aging brains.—
Cory Turner,
NPR,
14 Jan. 2026
-
The 11 citations represents a sharp decline from just months earlier.—
Mathew Miranda
January 14,
Sacbee.com,
14 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The beauty industry is entering a building period, after a dip in M&A activity in 2025.—
Hikmat Mohammed,
Vogue,
16 Jan. 2026
-
The statewide population was roughly flat from April 2020 through July 2025 – a 9,000-person dip.—
Jonathan Lansner,
Oc Register,
16 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
Their drive extended when Jalen Hurts found Dallas Geodert to convert a fourth down for the third time on the day.—
Chris Biderman,
Sacbee.com,
12 Jan. 2026
-
By the end of the year, the Gallup Economic Confidence Index, which measures views of the economy and its future, stood at a whopping negative 33, down nearly 20 points since spring.—
Susan Page,
USA Today,
12 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Downgrade.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downgrade. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.
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