1
as in reducing
to bring to a lower grade or rank
increased automation resulted in many jobs in the factory being downgraded
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of downgrading
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
The United States Department of State updated its travel advisory for the country of Pakistan this week, warning of potential crime there but also downgrading its warning for the border area between Pakistan and India.
—Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 29 Jan. 2026
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
The United States Department of State updated its travel advisory for the country of Pakistan this week, warning of potential crime there but also downgrading its warning for the border area between Pakistan and India.
—Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 29 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downgrading
Verb
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The majority-Republican House Committee on Appropriations proposed on Wednesday less extreme but still substantial cuts, slashing 20% from the agency and reducing funding to the state clean water programs by almost 25%.—
Adriana Pérez,
Chicago Tribune,
24 May 2026
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On the next play, an Evans flyout scored Rey, reducing the deficit to 6-3.—
Matt Murschel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
24 May 2026
Verb
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As a musician, Holloway’s voice is inseparable from his identity and livelihood, and going on testosterone — which causes the vocal folds to thicken and lengthen, lowering pitch, while also enlarging the larynx — terrified him.—
Leslie Katz,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
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Eco mode works by lowering the water temperature and using less water overall during the cycle.—
Jessica Safavimehr,
Southern Living,
28 May 2026
Verb
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City Manager Maraskeshia Smith had previously suggested either cutting or demoting 37 current city employees.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacbee.com,
18 May 2026
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As far as Williams, the Mets aren’t considering demoting him.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Downgrading.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downgrading. Accessed 30 May. 2026.
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