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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of downgrading
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
Netflix is still in business with Markle and her husband, Prince Harry, downgrading the pair’s deal to a first-look arrangement in August.
—Peter White, Deadline, 20 Jan. 2026
So what is the government’s rationale for downgrading the recommendation for the rotavirus vaccine?
—Ben Lopman, STAT, 17 Jan. 2026
The comments could indicate that the administration is downgrading its efforts for broad changes to the card industry that would be difficult to enact and that could hit consumer spending and the economy.
—Hugh Son, CNBC, 16 Jan. 2026
Those trends might suggest drivers are downgrading to bare-minimum liability insurance.
—Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
The administration has withheld routine forms of assistance from Taiwan—including by downgrading a defense dialogue with the island, denying Taiwanese President William Lai the ability to briefly visit the United States while traveling elsewhere, and blocking a major arms sales package.
—Mira Rapp-Hooper, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2025
Still, any Emirati response would likely stop at downgrading diplomatic ties rather than severing them, Reuters reported, citing people familiar with the matter.
—Yossi Shelley, semafor.com, 13 Oct. 2025
Along with downgrading Coker’s status, the Panthers also elevated offensive tackle Brandon Walton and cornerback Keion Crossen from the practice squad.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 11 Oct. 2025
Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 29 Jan. 2026
Netflix is still in business with Markle and her husband, Prince Harry, downgrading the pair’s deal to a first-look arrangement in August.
—Peter White, Deadline, 20 Jan. 2026
So what is the government’s rationale for downgrading the recommendation for the rotavirus vaccine?
—Ben Lopman, STAT, 17 Jan. 2026
The comments could indicate that the administration is downgrading its efforts for broad changes to the card industry that would be difficult to enact and that could hit consumer spending and the economy.
—Hugh Son, CNBC, 16 Jan. 2026
Those trends might suggest drivers are downgrading to bare-minimum liability insurance.
—Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
The administration has withheld routine forms of assistance from Taiwan—including by downgrading a defense dialogue with the island, denying Taiwanese President William Lai the ability to briefly visit the United States while traveling elsewhere, and blocking a major arms sales package.
—Mira Rapp-Hooper, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2025
Still, any Emirati response would likely stop at downgrading diplomatic ties rather than severing them, Reuters reported, citing people familiar with the matter.
—Yossi Shelley, semafor.com, 13 Oct. 2025
Along with downgrading Coker’s status, the Panthers also elevated offensive tackle Brandon Walton and cornerback Keion Crossen from the practice squad.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 11 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downgrading
Verb
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In addition to the effects of the pandemic and tariffs, climate issues — drought in Vietnam, heavy rain in Indonesia, and hot, dry weather in Brazil — are blamed for reducing yields of coffee crops and driving up global prices.—
Matt Sedensky,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2026
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That means air traffic controllers employed by the Federal Aviation Administration will receive paychecks as usual, reducing the risk of widespread flight cancellations.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The initiative is expected to restore 200 million gallons of water per year for ten years while lowering irrigation costs.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Feb. 2026
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Deductions reduce a filer's taxable income, lowering their overall tax bill.—
Mary Cunningham,
CBS News,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The Times is considering demoting the SilverZone to the BronzeZone.—
John Cherwa,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
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Shortly after the 2024 layoffs, UT made major changes to its marketing and communications department, laying off 20 staff members and demoting its leader.—
Lily Kepner,
Austin American Statesman,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Downgrading.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downgrading. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
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