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
The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026
The value of gold isn't subject to earnings calls, dividend cuts or analyst downgrades.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 26 Feb. 2026
Todd Spangler, Variety, 3 Mar. 2026
In other ratings action, on Monday, Fitch warned of the risk that Paramount’s financial and leverage targets will slip, and downgraded the group’s credit rating to BB+ from BBB-, and placed it on rating watch negative.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for downgrade
Noun
Now, the mayor’s team is continuing to criticize some of the other budget actions the council approved, which was part of Fitch’s rationale for the downgrade.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026
The value of gold isn't subject to earnings calls, dividend cuts or analyst downgrades.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 26 Feb. 2026
Verb
Now one of Wall Street’s big credit-rating agencies has downgraded Paramount’s debt to junk status and cut its issuer default rating.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 3 Mar. 2026
In other ratings action, on Monday, Fitch warned of the risk that Paramount’s financial and leverage targets will slip, and downgraded the group’s credit rating to BB+ from BBB-, and placed it on rating watch negative.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for downgrade
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downgrade
Noun
-
Han’s overarching argument is that the deterioration of our social fabric is due to ritual evaporating from everyday life.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
4 Mar. 2026
-
While virtually every major project targets South Beach, deterioration has begun in Normandy Isle, to the north.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The Italian, who returned from a broken left leg just before the Milan Cortina Games and then won gold in super-G and giant slalom, skipped Friday's downhill and seemed to struggle with landing the many jumps in the course.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
1 Mar. 2026
-
The World Cup continues with two downhills and a super-G in Italy next weekend.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Once Watson and Gordon are both back, Watson will probably be coming off the bench for the first time since mid-November, unless Adelman wants to make a more dramatic change by demoting someone from his starting lineup.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Informed that he would be demoted to a depth role, Spence asked for a trade and was dealt to the Ottawa Senators for two mid-round draft picks.—
Andrew Knoll,
Daily News,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The thinking, according to airport officials, is to encourage riders to use the yet-to-open Automated People Mover, also known as Skylink, and to reduce vehicle traffic around the terminals.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
-
From the guest's POV, drinking water is provided in reusable glass bottles, with water refilling stations across the property, and restaurant ingredients are sourced from the nearby partner South Farm and local suppliers to reduce the carbon footprint and support the community.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Similar to a subtle flare, the slight ankle slit draws the eye downward, naturally spotlighting a great pair of heels (or your favorite transitional choice) while adding a sleek, modern twist to classic denim.—
Amanda Le,
InStyle,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Elon Musk took the stand Wednesday accused of using misleading tweets to manipulate Twitter’s stock price downward before completing his $44-billion purchase.—
Barbara Ortutay,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Canada is the largest source of international tourism to Las Vegas, and the decline of these tourists is a significant blow to the city.—
Nathaniel Meyersohn,
CNN Money,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Growth in enterprise networking, broadband, and server storage revenues were offset by the seasonal decline in wireless (as is the case following the launch of an iPhone given that the component orders are placed ahead of the launch).—
Zev Fima,
CNBC,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Part of the recent draft dip is certainly related to name, image and likeness money.—
Jason Lloyd,
New York Times,
5 Mar. 2026
-
This hearty dish is a more substantial version of classic Buffalo chicken dip.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
5 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Police officers who were working to direct traffic for the race received a call of an officer down about a block off the race course roughly 300 feet from the location of the misdirection.—
Kevin Dotson,
CNN Money,
4 Mar. 2026
-
At its lowest, the Dow was down more than 1,200 points.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
4 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Downgrade.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downgrade. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
