1
as in to reduce
to bring to a lower grade or rank
the view that such a system degrades doctors to the status of medical employees who ultimately are not in charge of their patients' health care
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to deteriorate
to lower in character, dignity, or quality
degrading the school's animal mascot with a silly costume
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to humiliate
to reduce to a lower standing in one's own eyes or in others' eyes
the players degraded themselves with their crude antics off the field
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of degrade
What To Know Smoke from Canadian wildfires has degraded air quality across the Upper Midwest for over a week.
—
Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025
Though the stunt is nominally aimed at exposing and ending degrading matchmaking practices, what Nastia really yearns for is her missing parent’s attention.
—Carole V. Bell, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2025
This triggered an early pit stop, because of how quickly the tire was degrading, and his race became a surprise two-stopper.
—Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 2 June 2025
Be cautious not to overuse vinegar in the dishwasher, as the acid can degrade certain rubber components, like gaskets and filters.
—Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for degrade
Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025
Though the stunt is nominally aimed at exposing and ending degrading matchmaking practices, what Nastia really yearns for is her missing parent’s attention.
—Carole V. Bell, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2025
This triggered an early pit stop, because of how quickly the tire was degrading, and his race became a surprise two-stopper.
—Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 2 June 2025
Be cautious not to overuse vinegar in the dishwasher, as the acid can degrade certain rubber components, like gaskets and filters.
—Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for degrade
Recent Examples of Synonyms for degrade
Verb
-
Here are recommendations for maintaining safety during a thunderstorm: To reduce the chance of being struck by lightning, when venturing outside, have a plan to get to a safer area.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
9 June 2025
-
Empower fishing businesses to promote sustainable practices by eliminating overfishing, ending harmful fisheries subsidies globally, and reducing the sometimes destructive impacts of fisheries on marine habitats. 5.—
Marc Benioff,
Time,
8 June 2025
Verb
-
Eventually, Paley’s eyesight deteriorated due to diabetes.—
Meilan Solly,
Smithsonian Magazine,
13 June 2025
-
However, the situation is expected to deteriorate further as Netanyahu gave a public speech saying Israel’s military action may last several days.—
Gaurav Sharma,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2025
Verb
-
Ukrainians said they were subjected to beatings, electric shocks and dog attacks by Russian authorities, not only to extract information but to intimidate and humiliate them.—
Richard Engel,
NBC news,
11 June 2025
-
Musk, who also owns SpaceX, had backed Isaacman, and felt betrayed and humiliated when Trump changed his mind, according to the report.—
Leonard Greene,
New York Daily News,
7 June 2025
Verb
-
A bit of mordant familial humor held that the Great Depression had hit the year before, and the family had been demoted, but the new categorization was more likely the product of the family’s changing structure.—
Jelani Cobb,
New Yorker,
14 June 2025
-
Hobbs helped conduct that probe, which concluded that he and other employees had been retaliated against by the district’s special education director; as a result, the board demoted four administrators.—
Kristen Taketa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 June 2025
Verb
-
Since then, a series of shifts has reshaped the Middle East and weakened Iran and its proxies, the war in Gaza, Israel's decimation of the leadership of Hezbollah in Lebanon, the collapse of the Syrian regime, and now Israel's surprise attack.—
/ CBS News,
CBS News,
15 June 2025
-
Should the economy unexpectedly weaken, larger and sooner cuts are possible.—
Simon Moore,
Forbes.com,
15 June 2025
Verb
-
Trump’s team is working furiously to keep the bill going on other fronts, too: seeking to discredit Congress’s nonpartisan scorekeeper while savaging Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., for resisting the bill and its debt ceiling increase.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
6 June 2025
-
The White House has sought to discredit the CBO, but other groups have also presented estimates that conclude that the legislation would expand the U.S. government deficit by trillions of dollars.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
4 June 2025
Verb
-
Relative to previous presidents, Trump is much more willing to ignore the country’s interests and pursue goals that openly subvert them.—
Daniel Byman,
The Atlantic,
24 May 2025
-
Both underscore how well this series, at its best, generates suspense from editing, while either subverting expectations or diabolically playing on common fears.—
A.A. Dowd,
Vulture,
19 May 2025
Verb
-
The following program will contain graphic stupidity, as four friends compete to embarrass one another – only this time in Lithuania.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
9 June 2025
-
The intensity of the Russian attacks on Ukraine over the past weeks has further dampened hopes that the warring sides could reach a peace deal anytime soon — especially after Kyiv recently embarrassed the Kremlin with a surprising drone attack on military airfields deep inside Russia.—
SAMYA KULLAB,
Chicago Tribune,
7 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Degrade.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/degrade. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share