1
as in reducing
to bring to a lower grade or rank
increased automation resulted in many jobs in the factory being downgraded
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in lowering
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 downgrading
Biden ultimately dictated the voting order to members, ousting Iowa, downgrading New Hampshire, promoting Nevada and adding Michigan and Georgia to the first bunch.
—
Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 29 May 2026
For someone in a situation like Brad's, downgrading an expensive credit card has advantages over closing it.
—Jason Stauffer, CNBC, 11 May 2026
Less than two years after one of its alums became an international star at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Quinnipiac is downgrading its women’s rugby program.
—Kels Dayton, Hartford Courant, 14 Apr. 2026
The moved followed Netflix downgrading the couple’s rich overall deal to a first-look deal in August 2025 after the company had produced the documentary Harry & Meghan and unscripted series Polo and With Love, Meghan.
—Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 18 Mar. 2026
Last August, the Sussexes signed a new pact with Netflix, downgrading their exclusive agreement to a first-look deal (sources say this is common, and happens with other talent deals including the Obamas’).
—Matt Donnelly, Variety, 17 Mar. 2026
Then there’s Maiquetía carrying a Category 2 in air safety standards, a result of the FAA downgrading it in 2019.
—Miami Herald, 16 Mar. 2026
Fitch Ratings has given Chicago a BBB+ overall, while downgrading sales tax securitization from AAA to AA+.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 26 Feb. 2026
Nakai, too, squandered roughly six points for downgrading a planned triple lutz-triple toe loop combination.
—Bora Erden, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2026
Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 29 May 2026
For someone in a situation like Brad's, downgrading an expensive credit card has advantages over closing it.
—Jason Stauffer, CNBC, 11 May 2026
Less than two years after one of its alums became an international star at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Quinnipiac is downgrading its women’s rugby program.
—Kels Dayton, Hartford Courant, 14 Apr. 2026
The moved followed Netflix downgrading the couple’s rich overall deal to a first-look deal in August 2025 after the company had produced the documentary Harry & Meghan and unscripted series Polo and With Love, Meghan.
—Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 18 Mar. 2026
Last August, the Sussexes signed a new pact with Netflix, downgrading their exclusive agreement to a first-look deal (sources say this is common, and happens with other talent deals including the Obamas’).
—Matt Donnelly, Variety, 17 Mar. 2026
Then there’s Maiquetía carrying a Category 2 in air safety standards, a result of the FAA downgrading it in 2019.
—Miami Herald, 16 Mar. 2026
Fitch Ratings has given Chicago a BBB+ overall, while downgrading sales tax securitization from AAA to AA+.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 26 Feb. 2026
Nakai, too, squandered roughly six points for downgrading a planned triple lutz-triple toe loop combination.
—Bora Erden, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downgrading
Verb
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The price tag comes from the California State Auditor’s report that was issued last fall, which found that maintaining similar telework policies could potentially save $225 million annually by reducing the government’s office space footprint.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
6 June 2026
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An April 2026 analysis identified 446 hospitals across 44 states at high risk of closing or reducing services because of Medicaid funding cuts.—
Jesse Pines,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
Verb
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Muskiet added that the true blood-pressure-lowering effect of GLP-1s may actually be underestimated in the review.—
Fran Kritz,
Verywell Health,
4 June 2026
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Last season, Tyler Guyton allowed 31 quarterback pressures in just 10 games, and lowering that number will be crucial in lowering Prescott’s overall cleanliness in the pocket after being pressured the sixth-most of any quarterback last season.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 June 2026
Verb
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Back in 2018, Molitor said demoting Sanó was one of the most difficult decisions of his career.—
Dan Hayes,
New York Times,
3 June 2026
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Biden opted to make South Carolina the Democrats’ first-in-the-nation primary state, advancing Nevada and Michigan in the schedule while dropping Iowa and demoting New Hampshire.—
Daniel C. Vock,
Chicago Tribune,
27 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Downgrading.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downgrading. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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