degrade

[dih-greyd, dee-greyd]

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).

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

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• degrader 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

The government will also narrow the application of Article 3 of the ECHR, which bans inhuman or degrading treatment.

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"They should be displayed in museums or memorial exhibitions and not degraded to mere commodities," he added.

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The UK will join other countries in reforming Article 3 of the ECHR, which is designed to give people protection against inhuman or degrading treatment.

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Transporting raw fruits that degrade within days of picking is expensive.

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Many energy-harvesting devices degrade in such environments, but this generator remained stable because its dielectric layer is chemically inert and its water-based structure is naturally resilient.

Read more on Science Daily

Related Words

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