downgrade

[ doun-greyd ]

/ ˈdaʊnˌgreɪd /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR downgrade ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a downward slope, especially of a road.

adjective, adverb

downhill.

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

to assign to a lower status with a smaller salary.

to minimize the importance of; denigrate: She tried to downgrade the findings of the investigation.

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

Nearby words

downey cell, downfall, downfallen, downfield, downforce, downgrade, downgrowth, downhaul, downhearted, downheartedly, downhill

Idioms

on the downgrade, in a decline toward an inferior state or position: His career has been on the downgrade.

Origin of downgrade

An Americanism dating back to 1855–60; down¹ + grade

Related forms

down·grad·er, noun

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

Examples from the Web for downgrade

"The Uri Blau conviction as part of a plea bargain alone merits a downgrade," said Omer-Man.
Is The Israeli Press Only "Partly Free"?|Ali Gharib|May 10, 2013|DAILY BEAST
I did The Girlfriend Experience on film and Entourage on television, and to downgrade from that would be silly.
Hollywood’s Favorite Ex–Porn Star: A Chat With Sasha Grey|Marlow Stern|February 15, 2013|DAILY BEAST
One ratings agency is threatening to downgrade the U.S. if we go over the fiscal cliff.
The U.S. Credit Rating Might Get Downgraded Again, But Does Anyone Care?|Matthew Zeitlin|November 14, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The downgrade probably scores short-term political points for both leaders.
Is Egypt an Ally of the U.S.?|P.J. Crowley|September 16, 2012|DAILY BEAST

Typically, that means there is an even possibility that it will downgrade the credit of these countries within 90 days.
Standard & Poor’s and Other Ratings Agencies Must End Their Power Trip|Zachary Karabell|January 12, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Having shot his last fireball, Shann ran swiftly to take up a new position, downgrade and to the east of the domes.
Storm Over Warlock|Andre Norton
In the general ferment, commercial honesty had been on the downgrade.
Ten Tudor Statesmen|Arthur D. Innes
The inference is obvious: that the Monarchists are on the upgrade, and the Republicans on the downgrade.
France and the Republic|William Henry Hurlbert
As she hesitated, trying to decide which way to go, she felt her skis slipping along a downgrade where none should have been.
Behind the Green Door|Mildred A. Wirt
There is no downgrade in normal youth; it is its nature to climb, to look up.
The Victorious Attitude|Orison Swett Marden

British Dictionary definitions for downgrade

downgrade

/ (ˈdaʊnˌɡreɪd) /

verb (tr)

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

to speak of disparagingly

noun

mainly US and Canadian a downward slope, esp in a road

on the downgrade waning in importance, popularity, health, etc

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