downgrading

present participle of downgrade

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 downgrading Nike shares are modestly higher Friday despite KeyBanc downgrading the stock to a hold-equivalent rating ahead of next Tuesday's earnings report. Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 26 June 2026 Trapped by high interest rates and the cumulative weight of inflation, the bottom 80 percent of earners are aggressively pulling back on discretionary goods, exhausting credit options and downgrading to private-label and discount brands. Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 10 June 2026 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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downgrading
Verb
  • Other, small local initiatives have recently been aimed at improving post-release support and reducing recidivism.
    Amber Gaudet July 18, Charlotte Observer, 18 July 2026
  • Weakening high pressure to our east is slowly reducing scorching hot temperatures from earlier this week and diminishing the monsoonal moisture that provided unseasonable rain showers and thunderstorms.
    Sean Macaday, Sacbee.com, 17 July 2026
Verb
  • Kovich said attracting new development will ultimately be key to lowering rates further by spreading the cost of the water system across more customers.
    Nina Burns, CBS News, 14 July 2026
  • Moene argues that this wage compression promotes innovation and dynamism by boosting the profitability of growth industries and by lowering profits in lagging industries.
    Nicholas D. Kristof, Mercury News, 14 July 2026
Verb
  • San Francisco called up Carson Whisenhunt from Triple-A Sacramento Thursday morning, demoting beleaguered reliever Ryan Walker in a corresponding roster move.
    Christian Babcock, Mercury News, 9 July 2026
  • His workload and efficiency have been invaluable, and demoting seems unlikely.
    Chandler Rome, New York Times, 29 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Downgrading.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downgrading. Accessed 19 Jul. 2026.

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