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
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
Seaport took an axe to the homebuilders, double downgrading the stocks of Lennar , Pulte , Taylor Morrison , and KB Home to sell from buy.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 7 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
Kels Dayton, Hartford Courant, 14 Apr. 2026
Seaport took an axe to the homebuilders, double downgrading the stocks of Lennar , Pulte , Taylor Morrison , and KB Home to sell from buy.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 7 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 station initially bridged the sudden budget gap last year by reaching out to donors directly and reducing costs to bring down overhead.—
Savannah Sicurella,
AJC.com,
11 Apr. 2026
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The ship suffered substantial damage, and the Reagan administration retaliated by damaging or sinking three Iranian warships and three oil platforms, drastically reducing Tehran’s ability to engage in the gulf.—
Dalia Abdelwahab,
CNN Money,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Key Takeaways Both berberine and bitter melon show evidence for blood sugar-lowering effects.—
Angelica Bottaro,
Verywell Health,
16 Apr. 2026
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This could come in the form of lowering the cost of development by building out water and sewer pipes, or using the money in combination with philanthropic organizations to support projects similar to the Fort Worth Community Land Trust.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Senior officials have discussed promoting Dhillon to one of the top department roles, while demoting Woodward, the sources added.—
Sarah N. Lynch,
CBS News,
4 Apr. 2026
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Absent a lawsuit, which could be lengthy, Johnson’s options for actually removing Pettigrew could be trickier than merely demoting Brewer, however.—
Alice Yin,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Downgrading.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downgrading. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026.
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