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 strategists prefer France to Germany, upgrading the former to ‘overweight’ and downgrading the latter to ‘neutral’.
—
Joseph Wilkins, CNBC, 23 Apr. 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
Joseph Wilkins, CNBC, 23 Apr. 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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Unfortunately, facilities at public parks and libraries close at nightfall, greatly reducing the number of bathrooms available.—
Michael Perkins,
The Orlando Sentinel,
10 May 2026
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In the surgical procedure, a v-shape of the lower lid is removed thereby shortening the area and reducing the defect.—
Dr. John De Jong,
Boston Herald,
10 May 2026
Verb
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But Reid Porter, a spokesperson for the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, or PhRMA, told the Post Bulletin that hospitals’ 340B earnings don’t result in lowering healthcare costs.—
Dené K. Dryden,
Twin Cities,
8 May 2026
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That means cutting federal regulations driving up housing costs, lowering the tax burden on working families, opposing any new gas or vehicle mileage taxes and cutting reckless spending that drives inflation.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 May 2026
Verb
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City Manager Maraskeshia Smith has proposed cuts that include laying off or demoting 37 employees, cutting violence prevention grants and shortening neighborhood pool hours.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacbee.com,
7 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 10 May. 2026.
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