degraded

American  

[dih-grey-did] / dɪˈgreɪ dɪd /

adjective

1. reduced in rank, position, reputation, etc..

   He felt degraded by the trivial tasks assigned to him.

2. reduced in quality or value; debased; vulgarized.

   the degraded level of the modern novel.

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Other Word Forms

• degradedly adverb
• degradedness noun
• undegraded adjective

Etymology

Origin of degraded

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English; see origin at degrade, -ed ²

Example Sentences

"The substantial amount of time that passed between her death and the discovery meant that crucial evidence had degraded or disappeared."

From Barron's • Apr. 20, 2026

Having degraded Iran’s nuclear program last year, he might have put off further action until past the midterms, if ever.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

With Iran’s air defenses largely degraded, they can instead rely on weapons such as laser-guided bombs, helping ease pressure on stockpiles.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 5, 2026

As a result, proteins are not properly degraded, which can lead to the death of nerve cells.

From Science Daily • Mar. 26, 2026

But it was better, I figured, to have Ronnie a little peeved than to have me a whole lot damaged and degraded, just because I’d let my guard down for three and one-third seconds.

From "Ida B" by Katherine Hannigan