1
as in deterioration
a change to a lower state or level
a singing career on the downgrade
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in downhill
a downward slope
the gentle downgrade of the parking area is designed for drainage
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to demote
to bring to a lower grade or rank
increased automation resulted in many jobs in the factory being downgraded
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to reduce
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
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 downgrade
Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 10 Jan. 2026
Saks Global Enterprises has been hit with a debt downgrade, adding to its growing list of challenges.
—Brian Womack, Dallas Morning News, 8 Jan. 2026
Tom Hudson, Miami Herald, 27 Jan. 2026
The Patriots also announced DT Joshua Farmer and RB Terrell Jennings had been downgraded to out and did not make the trip to Denver.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 24 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for downgrade
Noun
No government or business likes a bond downgrade.
—Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 10 Jan. 2026
Saks Global Enterprises has been hit with a debt downgrade, adding to its growing list of challenges.
—Brian Womack, Dallas Morning News, 8 Jan. 2026
Verb
The ratings downgrades by two major credit ratings agencies reflects growing risk of a debt default by Brightline, possibly by early next year.
—Tom Hudson, Miami Herald, 27 Jan. 2026
The Patriots also announced DT Joshua Farmer and RB Terrell Jennings had been downgraded to out and did not make the trip to Denver.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 24 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for downgrade
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downgrade
Noun
-
To be sure, the deterioration in human rights protections predates Trump’s return to office.—
Philippe Bolopion,
Time,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Why Gasket Maintenance Is Essential A dirty gasket leads to deterioration of the seal, which can cause temperature fluctuations, spoiled food, and bacterial growth.—
Louise Parks,
Martha Stewart,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Breezy Johnson, the downhill and combined world champion, was in a similar situation to Vonn at Cortina during a World Cup weekend in 2022.—
Andrew Dampf,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Vonn eventually won bronze in the downhill at the 2019 world championships in Åre, Sweden, before retiring for the first time.—
Patrick Sung Cuadrado,
CNN Money,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Internal divisions in the DA have widened since late last year, when Steenhuisen demoted Dion George, the party’s then environment minister, in a cabinet reshuffle.—
Sam Mkokeli,
semafor.com,
4 Feb. 2026
-
When her performance declined and she was demoted, Gallarzo began looking for another job.—
Christina Coulter,
PEOPLE,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
This comes at a time when there has been talk of reducing the number of PGA tournaments on the calendar.—
Kirk Kenney,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The cross-border clearing platform could streamline operations, reducing risks in OTC trades that dominate the market.—
Sean Lee,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
For example, the recent announcement regarding a $200 billion MBS purchase helped push rates downward.—
Aly J Yale,
CBS News,
28 Jan. 2026
-
The chandelier fixed squarely in the vaulted ceiling and the elegant milk glass lamps that lined the hallway cast their soft gazes downward.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The decline in future spending commitments is projected to lead to 670,000 and 1,600,000 lives lost annually.—
Lauren Kent,
CNN Money,
4 Feb. 2026
-
The cuts mark a steep decline for the historic newsroom, which has lost subscribers following controversial editorial decisions by owner Jeff Bezos.—
David Bauder,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Would there be a dip in quality for special effects and visual panache?—
Matthew Razak,
Space.com,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Spinach dip is great, but this version may be the ultimate winner.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
4 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
That process began by Pidgeon working closely with the movement coach Julia Crockett to get some of her mannerisms down.—
Christian Allaire,
Vogue,
4 Feb. 2026
-
That’s down by one week and about 880 million minutes of watch time compared to the first season in 2024.—
Rick Porter,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Downgrade.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downgrade. Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
