degrade

[ dih-greyd dee-greyd ]

verb (used with object)

, de·grad·ed, de·grad·ing.

1. to lower in dignity or estimation; bring into contempt:

   He felt they were degrading him by making him report to the supervisor.

   Synonyms: discredit, dishonor, disgrace

   Antonyms: exalt

2. to lower in character or quality; debase.

   Synonyms: vitiate, abase

   Antonyms: exalt

3. to reduce (someone) to a lower rank, degree, etc.; deprive of office, rank, status, or title, especially as a punishment:

   degraded from director to assistant director.

   Synonyms: break, cashier, lower, downgrade, depose, demote

   Antonyms: promote

4. to reduce in amount, strength, intensity, etc.
5. Physical Geography. to wear down by erosion, as hills. Compare aggrade.
6. Chemistry. to break down (a compound, especially an organic hydrocarbon).

verb (used without object)

, de·grad·ed, de·grad·ing.

1. to become degraded; weaken or worsen; deteriorate.
2. Chemistry. (especially of an organic hydrocarbon compound) to break down or decompose.

degrade

/ dɪˈɡreɪd /

verb

1. tr to reduce in worth, character, etc; disgrace; dishonour
2. diːˈɡreɪd tr to reduce in rank, status, or degree; remove from office; demote
3. tr to reduce in strength, quality, intensity, etc
4. to reduce or be reduced by erosion or down-cutting, as a land surface or bed of a river Compare aggrade
5. chem to decompose or be decomposed into atoms or smaller molecules

Derived Forms

• deˈgrader, noun

Other Words From

• de·grader noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of degrade¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English degraden, from Late Latin dēgradāre, from Latin dē- de- + grad(us) “step, rank, progress” ( grade ) + -āre, infinitive verb suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of degrade¹

C14: from Late Latin dēgradāre, from Latin de- + gradus rank, degree

Synonym Study

See humble.

Example Sentences

However, so far it has been observed that these cathode materials 'age' rapidly: the cathode material degrades as a result to the back-and-forth migration of lithium ions during charging and discharging.

From Science Daily

They introduced an iodine-reducing agent to inhibit the chemical reactions that cause the cells to degrade over time.

From Science Daily

"We now have a new class of molecules that are potently active but do not degrade in the stomach or intestine, meaning they can be taken orally."

From Science Daily

It made it illegal to "write, send, or share any information through a computer, which is likely to ridicule, degrade, or demean another person, group of persons, a tribe, an ethnicity, a religion or gender".

From BBC

One thing we’ll see is who in public life is principled and courageous, and who will bend the knee to Trump and degrade themselves?

From Salon

Related Words

• cheapen
• corrupt
• debase
• degenerate
• demean
• deteriorate
• diminish
• discredit
• disgrace
• downgrade
• impair
• lessen
• reduce
• vitiate
• weaken