downgrade
Americannoun
adjective
verb (used with object)
-
to assign to a lower status with a smaller salary.
-
to minimize the importance of; denigrate.
She tried to downgrade the findings of the investigation.
-
to assign a lower security classification to (information, a document, etc.).
idioms
verb
-
to reduce in importance, esteem, or value, esp to demote (a person) to a poorer job
-
to speak of disparagingly
noun
-
a downward slope, esp in a road
-
waning in importance, popularity, health, etc
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
have downgradedperfect
-
has downgradedperfect 3rd person singular
-
has been downgradingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
-
have been downgradingperfect progressive
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am downgradingprogressive 1st person singular
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downgradessingular 3rd person
-
are downgradingprogressive
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is downgradingprogressive 3rd person singular
-
downgradingparticiple
Past
-
had downgradedperfect
-
had been downgradingperfect progressive
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were downgradingprogressive plural
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downgradedparticiple
-
was downgradingprogressive singular
-
downgradedsimple
Future
Etymology
Origin of downgrade
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It won’t even downgrade him to not being the richest guy who has ever lived.
From Slate • Jun. 5, 2026
The downgrade adds to a growing list of warnings from international organizations, including the OECD, as the conflict enters a fourth month and continues to disrupt supplies of energy and key commodities.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026
The downgrade stemmed largely from weaker consumer spending.
From MarketWatch • May 28, 2026
Spanish grid monopolist Redeia still got a downgrade from Fitch earlier this year, and Germany’s Amprion from Moody’s, though both remain investment-grade.
From Barron's • May 27, 2026
It’s as if they don’t want to entirely lose the Mockingjay, but they want to downgrade my role to foot soldier.
From "Mockingjay" by Suzanne Collins
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
