downgrade

[doun-greyd]

noun

1. a downward slope, especially of a road.

adjective

1. downhill.

verb (used with object)

downgraded, downgrading 

1. to assign to a lower status with a smaller salary.

2. to minimize the importance of; denigrate.

   She tried to downgrade the findings of the investigation.

3. to assign a lower security classification to (information, a document, etc.).

downgrade

/ ˈdaʊnˌɡreɪd /

verb

1. to reduce in importance, esteem, or value, esp to demote (a person) to a poorer job

2. to speak of disparagingly

noun

1. a downward slope, esp in a road

2. waning in importance, popularity, health, etc

Other Word Forms

• downgrader noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of downgrade¹

An Americanism dating back to 1855–60; down ¹ + grade

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. on the downgrade, in a decline toward an inferior state or position.

   His career has been on the downgrade.

Example Sentences

The announcement marks the second downgrade to its outlook since early July.

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The duke had been seeking to overturn a decision that had downgraded his security after he stopped being a working royal and moved to the US with the Duchess of Sussex.

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Authorities downgraded the threat of downpours there on Tuesday from a red alert to a yellow.

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Mrs Perry took her own life after an Ofsted report downgraded her Caversham Primary School in Reading from its highest rating of "outstanding" to its lowest rating, "inadequate", over safeguarding concerns.

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Much is depending on the OBR's expected downgrade to the underlying long-term performance of the economy, or productivity.

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Related Words

• degrade 
• demote 
• devalue 
• reduce 
• undervalue