degrade

[dih-greyd or for 3, dee-greyd]

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verb (used with object), de·grad·ed, de·grad·ing.

to lower in dignity or estimation; bring into contempt: He felt they were degrading him by making him report to the supervisor.

to lower in character or quality; debase.

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.

to reduce in amount, strength, intensity, etc.

Physical Geography. to wear down by erosion, as hills.Compare aggrade.

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

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.

Nearby words

Origin of degrade

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

SYNONYMS FOR degrade

1. disgrace, dishonor, discredit. 2. abase, vitiate. 3. demote, depose, downgrade, lower, cashier, break.

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ANTONYMS FOR degrade

1, 2. exalt. 3. promote.

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Related formsde·grad·er, noun

Synonym study

1. See humble.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for degrade

Now Obama promises to “degrade and destroy” the self-declared Islamic State (or ISIL, or ISIS).
Why ISIS Keeps Running Circles Around Us, Just Like Al Qaeda Did Before 9/11|Christopher Dickey|September 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
U.S. warplanes have already flown more than 100 sorties to degrade ISIS ground forces, and many more bombs are on the way.
This Really Is Obama's Moment of Truth|Jonathan Alter|September 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The plan to degrade al Qaeda enough so that U.S. forces can leave is already lagging behind schedule.
Obama’s Counterterror Plan Has New Doubters: His Own Generals and Spies|Josh Rogin, Kimberly Dozier|July 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“Dioxin” is the dirtiest of dirty words and this designation, like the chemical itself, does not degrade.
Antibacterial Soap’s Deadly Secret|Kent Sepkowitz|May 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Kenneth recognizes the terrible truths of our existence: that gun violence will continue to devastate and degrade everyone.
If Gun Violence Is A Disease, These People Might Just Be The Cure|Moral Courage|April 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This would be to degrade Him into the head of a rival sect, which it is convenient for state purposes to make supreme.
The Gospel of St. John|Frederick Denison Maurice
Byron had sworn to love man and nature, and to glorify their works, on the very instant he seeks to degrade and vilify.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Vol. 64 No. 396 October 1848|Various
Is it in order to degrade their superiors, to raise the status of menials?
The Nabob|Alphonse Daudet
In this locality, like all others, there were two parties, or two spirits—one was to improve the other to degrade society.
Pen Pictures|B. F. Craig
I will not say (whatever I may think) that this affair has been got up solely to degrade and insult me.
Dombey and Son|Charles Dickens

British Dictionary definitions for degrade

degrade

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 Formsdegrader, 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

Word Origin and History for degrade

degrade

late 14c., from Old French degrader (12c.) "degrade, deprive (of office, rank, etc.)," from des- "down" (see dis-) + Latin gradus "step" (see grade (n.)). Related: Degraded; degrading.

degrade

verb (used with object), de·grad·ed, de·grad·ing.

verb (used without object), de·grad·ed, de·grad·ing.

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Origin of degrade

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Examples from the Web for degrade

degrade

verb

Word Origin for degrade

degrade