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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of downgrading
Nike shares are modestly higher Friday despite KeyBanc downgrading the stock to a hold-equivalent rating ahead of next Tuesday's earnings report.
—
Natasha Abellard,
CNBC,
26 June 2026
Trapped by high interest rates and the cumulative weight of inflation, the bottom 80 percent of earners are aggressively pulling back on discretionary goods, exhausting credit options and downgrading to private-label and discount brands.
—
Arthur Zaczkiewicz,
Footwear News,
10 June 2026
Biden ultimately dictated the voting order to members, ousting Iowa, downgrading New Hampshire, promoting Nevada and adding Michigan and Georgia to the first bunch.
—
Francesca Chambers,
USA Today,
29 May 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
Natasha Abellard,
CNBC,
26 June 2026
Trapped by high interest rates and the cumulative weight of inflation, the bottom 80 percent of earners are aggressively pulling back on discretionary goods, exhausting credit options and downgrading to private-label and discount brands.
—
Arthur Zaczkiewicz,
Footwear News,
10 June 2026
Biden ultimately dictated the voting order to members, ousting Iowa, downgrading New Hampshire, promoting Nevada and adding Michigan and Georgia to the first bunch.
—
Francesca Chambers,
USA Today,
29 May 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downgrading
Verb
-
Manucurist formulates its masks with panthenol, a form of vitamin B5, to hydrate and strengthen dry nails over time, reducing breakage.
-
Even tiny electromagnetic disturbances can disrupt the quantum states that perform calculations, reducing the accuracy and reliability of the system.
Verb
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The Elk Grove Animal Shelter is lowering adoption fees for pets throughout July in an effort to find 250 furry friends new homes in honor of the nation’s 250th birthday.
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Guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that regular physical activity is crucial for reducing obesity, improving sleep quality and lowering the risk of chronic illnesses.
Verb
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His workload and efficiency have been invaluable, and demoting seems unlikely.
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Psychologists and economists have spent decades demoting gratification to a sin.
Cite this Entry
“Downgrading.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downgrading. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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