degraded
Americanadjective
-
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)
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"Ellen West" by Frank Bidart
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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.
Tooth enamel is the hardest tissue in the body, and its proteins survive long after DNA has degraded beyond recovery.
From Science Daily ● Nov. 5, 2026
The U.S. says that it has largely degraded Iran’s ability to see and track ships and that 95% of traffic is flowing safely through the waterway.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 30, 2026
From degraded batteries and pricey home electrical overhauls to state road-use taxes and specialized tires, pre-owned EVs can come with a unique ledger of surprising expenses.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 27, 2026
Regarding the possibility the pentobarbital was degraded, Zivot explained that if this was the case, it could be due to factors including poor manufacturing or improper storage.
From BBC ● Oct. 2, 2026
The bubbles were small, inconspicuous, and held a strange, unpalatable beauty when shafts of light pierced them and brightened his mouth with a briefly degraded spectrum of color.
From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
