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degrade

[ dih-greyd or, for 3, dee-greyd ]
/ dɪˈgreɪd or, for 3, diˈgreɪd /
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See synonyms for: degrade / degraded / degrading on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), de·grad·ed, de·grad·ing.
verb (used without object), de·grad·ed, de·grad·ing.
to become degraded; weaken or worsen; deteriorate.
Chemistry. (especially of an organic hydrocarbon compound) to break down or decompose.
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Origin of degrade

1275–1325; Middle English degraden<Late Latin dēgradāre, equivalent to Latin dē-de- + grad(us) grade + -āre infinitive suffix

synonym study for degrade

1. See humble.

OTHER WORDS FROM degrade

de·grad·er, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use degrade in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for degrade

degrade
/ (dɪˈɡreɪd) /

verb
(tr) to reduce in worth, character, etc; disgrace; dishonour
(diːˈɡreɪd) (tr) to reduce in rank, status, or degree; remove from office; demote
(tr) to reduce in strength, quality, intensity, etc
to reduce or be reduced by erosion or down-cutting, as a land surface or bed of a riverCompare aggrade
chem to decompose or be decomposed into atoms or smaller molecules

Derived forms of degrade

degrader, noun

Word Origin for degrade

C14: from Late Latin dēgradāre, from Latin de- + gradus rank, degree
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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