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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of downgrade
Kc Joyner, New York Times, 23 July 2025
As such, the attack is more accurately classified as a FIDO downgrade attack, not a bypass.
—Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 18 July 2025
Chad De Guzman, Time, 31 July 2025
The star guard also credited Natasha Cloud (illness) postgame for competing hours after being downgraded to questionable.
—Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 31 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for downgrade
Verb
Downside: Will Morton be a play-calling downgrade from Johnson?
—Kc Joyner, New York Times, 23 July 2025
As such, the attack is more accurately classified as a FIDO downgrade attack, not a bypass.
—Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 18 July 2025
Adverb
Japan Japan’s Meteorological Agency has downgraded all tsunami warnings in the country to advisory warnings, as of around 9 p.m. local time on Wednesday (8 a.m. ET).
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 31 July 2025
The star guard also credited Natasha Cloud (illness) postgame for competing hours after being downgraded to questionable.
—Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 31 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for downgrade
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downgrade
Noun
-
By diplomatic standards, the deterioration has been abrupt.—
Andreas Kluth,
Mercury News,
14 Aug. 2025
-
Other economists — such as those at Goldman Sachs Group Inc., Citigroup Inc. and UBS Group AG — interpreted the rapid deterioration in hiring more as a sign of weak labor demand, which would push the Fed to commence with rate reductions at its next policy meeting in September.—
Ashley Lutz,
Fortune,
9 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The ride itself starts the next day with a downhill run from Roncesvalles following the Iratí River, stopping to visit the 12th-century Romanesque Church of Santa María Eunate along the way.—
Cassidy Randall,
Forbes.com,
6 Aug. 2025
-
Crested Butte Mountain Resort’s Evolution Bike Park features two double black diamond downhills: Psycho Rocks and Captain Jack.—
Melanie Haiken,
Outside Online,
23 July 2025
Verb
-
Merrill was then demoted from co-anchor of the Weekday Morning Show to working weekend nights.—
Rick Sobey,
Boston Herald,
6 Aug. 2025
-
Just months after emerging from Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings, Spirit Airlines is taking more measures to contain costs by furloughing another 270 pilots and demoting 140 others, management confirmed Monday.—
David Lyons,
Sun Sentinel,
28 July 2025
Verb
-
Judge Kevin McDonough reduced Dennis' bond to $20,000.—
Quinlan Bentley,
The Enquirer,
7 Aug. 2025
-
The vertical design helps minimize the risk of injury from RSI and reduces muscle tension in the arm for more comfort throughout the working day.—
Mark Sparrow,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Adverb
-
For the most recent annual series from April 2023 through March 2024, the initial three monthly estimates were revised downward about 16% on average.—
George Calhoun,
Forbes.com,
13 Aug. 2025
-
The original ordinance restricted the use of searchlights, while newer ones cover everything from outdoor lighting brightness to directing light downward, keeping light pollution minimal.—
Stefanie Waldek,
AFAR Media,
12 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The modest share price increase to A$42 came despite a decline in the company’s net profit from $13.7 billion to $10.2 billion in the 12 months to June 30.—
Tim Treadgold,
Forbes.com,
19 Aug. 2025
-
Black bear sightings on the rise Similar to bobcats, the black bear population is on the rise after experiencing a population decline in the 1800s due to hunting and habitat loss.—
Kaycee Sloan,
The Enquirer,
18 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Take a dip, cast a line, or stay on shore for some excellent shelling.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
8 Aug. 2025
-
Cilantro can be a polarizing ingredient, but Beyoncé's cilantro-free guacamole recipe ensures everyone will love the finished dip.—
Sarah Martens,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The degradation of individual and societal health spirals downward while the most powerful controllers of the medical and pharmaceutical industries thrive.—
David Marks,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 Aug. 2025
-
The degradation and genocide of Indigenous Americans on the mainland is widely known.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
1 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Downgrade.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downgrade. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share