degrade

American  

[dih-greyd, dee-greyd] / dɪˈgreɪd, diˈgreɪd /

verb (used with object)

degraded, degrading

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.

6. Chemistry. to break down (a compound, especially an organic hydrocarbon).

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verb (used without object)

degraded, degrading

1. to become degraded; weaken or worsen; deteriorate.

2. Chemistry. (especially of an organic hydrocarbon compound) to break down or decompose.

degrade British  

/ dɪˈɡreɪd /

verb

1. (tr) to reduce in worth, character, etc; disgrace; dishonour

2. (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

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Related Words

See humble.

Other Word Forms

• degrader
  noun

Etymology

Origin of degrade

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

Explanation

To degrade means to reduce the worth of something, as when smoke and pollution degrade the environment. The word can also mean to disrespect or insult: thoughtless comments can degrade a person. If you whistle at a passing woman, you're being disrespectful — your behavior degrades women. Degrade is often used to mean to insult someone because of their gender or race. Degrade also means to break down. Old paper or photographs can degrade when left in the light — their material breaks down so that they crumble at a touch.

Example Sentences

Degrade has reference to a bringing down from some higher grade or from some standard.

From Webster's Unabridged Dictionary by Webster, Noah

A license far beyond poetic use Not to translate old authors but abuse The wit of Romans; and their lofty sense Degrade into new poems made from thence, Disguise old Rome in our new eloquence.

From Early Theories of Translation by Amos, Flora Ross

Wherefore did the angrye emperour Degrade thys merrye lorde?

From A Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 3 by Bullen, A. H. (Arthur Henry)

Degrade, cast down, deface, the image of your Maker in you.

From The Dop Doctor by Dehan, Richard

Degrade the immutable Ideas: you obtain, by that alone, the perpetual flux of things.

From Creative Evolution by Mitchell, Arthur

Related Words

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