degraded

American

[dih-grey-did] / dɪˈgreɪ dɪd /

adjective

reduced in rank, position, reputation, etc..

He felt degraded by the trivial tasks assigned to him.
reduced in quality or value; debased; vulgarized.

the degraded level of the modern novel.

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of degraded

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English; see origin at degrade, -ed ²

Vocabulary lists containing degraded

"The Declaration of Sentiments" (1848)

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!

"Ellen West" by Frank Bidart

Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

degraded

The investigation found that the unpermitted excavation degraded sensitive habitats, according to a commission fact sheet.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 4, 2026

The fodder situation is "highly degraded" in almost all regions, the ministry said earlier this month.

From Barron's ● Aug. 26, 2026

Detecting it in fossil bone therefore provides an additional chemical clue that degraded collagen is present.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 14, 2026

As well as degraded infrastructure and a lack of rain, experts have also pointed to too much sediment in resevoirs as a factor in the water crisis.

From BBC ● Aug. 9, 2026

He had honored Monterey by dying there and he had been degraded.

From "Cannery Row" by John Steinbeck

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023