Synonyms of downgrade

downgrade 1 of 3

noun

ˈdau̇n-ˌgrād 

1

as in deterioration

a change to a lower state or level

a singing career on the downgrade

Synonyms & Similar Words

• deterioration
• decline
• degradation
• declination
• descent
• downfall
• decrease
• eclipse
• decadence
• reduction
• fall
• devolution
• degeneration
• destruction
• ebb
• drop
• degeneracy
• dégringolade
• declension
• decay
• dissolution
• loss
• breakup
• dip
• decomposition
• dark age
• disintegration
• sunset
• crumbling
• slump
• depreciation
• spoiling
• nadir
• lowering
• debasement
• demolition
• rotting
• downturn
• ruin
• ruination
• diminution
• deflation
• falloff
• lessening
• decrement
• sag
• shrinkage
• havoc
• abasement
• diminishment
• decimation
• downtrend
• slip
• demolishment
• downslide
• abatement
• drop-off
• desolation
• de-escalation

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• development
• rise
• growth
• evolution
• ascent
• advancement
• upswing
• renewal
• restoration
• increase
• flowering
• revitalization
• enhancement
• gain
• addition
• boost
• increment
• raise
• augmentation
• supplement
• flourishing
• blossoming
• accretion
• accrual
• heightening
• addendum

2

as in downhill

a downward slope

the gentle downgrade of the parking area is designed for drainage

Synonyms & Similar Words

• downhill
• dip
• decline
• descent
• fall
• hanging
• depression
• hang
• declivity
• declension
• basin
• hollow

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• upgrade
• rise
• ascent
• uphill
• grade
• pitch
• hill
• gradient
• inclination
• tilt
• rake
• uprise
• lean
• acclivity
• incline
• glacis

downgrade

2 of 3

verb

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

• demote
• reduce
• degrade
• dismiss
• bust
• sack
• downsize
• disrate
• can
• break
• lay off
• fire
• lower
• humiliate
• debase
• demean
• humble
• abase
• cashier

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• promote
• raise
• advance
• elevate
• hire

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

• reduce
• lower
• devalue
• depress
• devaluate
• attenuate
• sink
• cheapen
• write down
• shrink
• depreciate
• write off
• mark down
• break
• debase
• underestimate
• demonetize
• undervalue
• downsize
• underrate
• moderate
• contract
• compress
• lessen
• deflate
• underprice
• dwindle
• abridge
• de-escalate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• upgrade
• enhance
• appreciate
• mark up
• inflate
• blow up
• increase
• add
• overestimate
• expand
• extend
• maximize
• boost
• bloat
• augment
• raise
• escalate
• enlarge
• amplify
• heighten
• swell
• multiply
• compound
• overrate
• dilate
• overvalue
• up
• overprice
• aggrandize
• balloon

downgrade

3 of 3

adverb

as in downward

Related Words

• downward
• downhill
• down
• downstairs
• below
• over
• low
• facedown

Dissimilar Words

• up
• upward
• aloft
• upwardly

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of downgrade

Noun

Decide whether to keep, downgrade, investigate, or cancel each one before the next renewal date. — Bydavid Schepp, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 June 2026

Those short-term tweaks, rising costs and council rancor led to dual downgrades from ratings agencies earlier this year. — A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 25 June 2026

Verb

Even one of America’s most selective schools – Brown University, locus of the Graduate by Hilton Providence – announced $30M in budget cuts and saw its financial outlook downgraded to negative by Moody’s. — Ryan Craig, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

Small businesses across California are cutting hours, raising prices, downgrading coverage and even hiring abroad, while workers absorb hidden pay cuts and higher deductibles. — Melody Petersen, Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2026