downgrade

American  

[doun-greyd] / ˈdaʊnˌgreɪd /

noun

1. a downward slope, especially of a road.

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adjective

1. downhill.

verb (used with object)

downgraded, downgrading

1. to assign to a lower status with a smaller salary.

2. to minimize the importance of; denigrate.

   She tried to downgrade the findings of the investigation.

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

idioms

1. on the downgrade, in a decline toward an inferior state or position.

   His career has been on the downgrade.

downgrade British  

/ ˈdaʊnˌɡreɪd /

verb

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

2. to speak of disparagingly

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noun

1. a downward slope, esp in a road

2. waning in importance, popularity, health, etc

Other Word Forms

• downgrader noun

Etymology

Origin of downgrade

An Americanism dating back to 1855–60; down ¹ + grade

Example Sentences

“What’s interesting is that the bond market is not trading that. Instead, it’s trading on the disinflationary impact that might happen a few years from now,” as well as on a “downgrade in economic expectations.”

From MarketWatch

At present, it will not intervene on yellow cards - so downgrading Kelly's initial dismissal for a second bookable offence was never VAR's intention.

From BBC

"Production delays hampered the group's performance, leading to multiple profit downgrades over the last year," he added.

From Barron's

“We still believe that many of the concerns that led to our downgrade earlier in the year still apply,” he adds.

From The Wall Street Journal

Jefferies analyst Brent Thill downgraded Workday’s stock to hold from buy on Monday, writing that he was worried about the “abrupt” departure of the company’s well-liked former CEO.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

• degrade
• demote
• devalue
• reduce
• undervalue