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
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
The scores reflected the judges' differing opinions, with Hough downgrading from his eight of last week to a score of seven and Inaba nudging up to an eight.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Oct. 2025
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
The scores reflected the judges' differing opinions, with Hough downgrading from his eight of last week to a score of seven and Inaba nudging up to an eight.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downgrading
Verb
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Oatmeal specifically touts many benefits, including being a valuable source of numerous vitamins, antioxidants and fiber; moreover, studies indicate that the biochemical composition of the grain can help improve the gut microbiome in addition to reducing blood glucose levels as well.—
Forbes.com,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
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But since then, SpaceX too has worked on reducing the brightness of its satellites.—
Tereza Pultarova,
Space.com,
25 Jan. 2026
Verb
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As profits reach their apex, investors temper their expectations by lowering the multiple.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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On the other hand, by lowering rates to stimulate hiring, the Fed threatens to boost spending and worsen inflation.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Those are more enticing routes for Finch to take than demoting a struggling Randle last season to promote a struggling Reid.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
21 Jan. 2026
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But demoting Kelly requires an administrative process known as officer grade determination, which by law makes its decisions based on an officer's conduct while on active duty.—
Davis Winkie,
USA Today,
5 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Downgrading.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downgrading. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
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