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
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
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downgrading
Verb
-
This lifts the hull out of the water, reducing hydrodynamic drag and minimizing wake generation.
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On Tuesday, Uzbekistan was soundly thrashed by Portugal 5-0 — significantly reducing the country's chances to qualify for the next round of play in this World Cup, the first ever for a Central Asian nation.
Verb
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Hilton, running on a platform of affordability and lowering taxes, has seized on the sentiment, casting health coverage for immigrants without legal status as deeply unfair and a direct threat to the state’s ability to help citizens.
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But despite more than 50 years of data showing the cholesterol-lowering medications are safe, many people are still hesitant to take statins, fearing side effects.
Verb
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Psychologists and economists have spent decades demoting gratification to a sin.
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Back in 2018, Molitor said demoting Sanó was one of the most difficult decisions of his career.
Cite this Entry
“Downgrading.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downgrading. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
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