1
as in to reduce
to bring to a lower grade or rank
the view that such a system degrades doctors to the status of medical employees who ultimately are not in charge of their patients' health care
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to deteriorate
to lower in character, dignity, or quality
degrading the school's animal mascot with a silly costume
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to humiliate
to reduce to a lower standing in one's own eyes or in others' eyes
the players degraded themselves with their crude antics off the field
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of degrade
In the meantime, the concern is that disregarding long-standing security protocols degrades their significance and endangers those they are meant to protect.
—
Anna Mulrine Grobe, Christian Science Monitor, 8 May 2025
That way, when a protein degrades and needs to be replaced, the other remains in place.
—Ajdina Halilovic, Quanta Magazine, 7 May 2025
Nine schools across the city were found to have degrading, chipping interiors.
—Cheyenne Haslett, ABC News, 7 May 2025
Carey criticized laissez-faire economics for degrading the British working class.
— Made By History, Time, 28 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for degrade
Anna Mulrine Grobe, Christian Science Monitor, 8 May 2025
That way, when a protein degrades and needs to be replaced, the other remains in place.
—Ajdina Halilovic, Quanta Magazine, 7 May 2025
Nine schools across the city were found to have degrading, chipping interiors.
—Cheyenne Haslett, ABC News, 7 May 2025
Carey criticized laissez-faire economics for degrading the British working class.
— Made By History, Time, 28 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for degrade
Recent Examples of Synonyms for degrade
Verb
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Their original sentences, which were 12 years and seven years, respectively, were reduced in September 2023.—
Esther Kang,
People.com,
28 May 2025
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With Bayern aiming to reduce their wage bill, the Wirtz signing would have come at the cost of at least an extra €20million (£16.8m, $22.7m) per year, on top of a transfer fee somewhere between €100m and €150m.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
28 May 2025
Verb
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While more durable than the original Irish linen that encased the wings when the KC Eaglet rolled out of the factory on Aug. 12, 1930, all fabrics will deteriorate over time from exposure to the sun.—
Mike Hendricks,
Kansas City Star,
21 May 2025
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Their mental health deteriorated, which reinforced the officer’s excuse to keep them deadlocked.—
Justyna Rzewinski,
New York Daily News,
21 May 2025
Verb
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The writer-director’s smartest move is never to deny Colin his dignity, even when he’s humiliated for disappointing Ray or getting vigorously plowed on a table.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
18 May 2025
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But who among us has not had a little marital spat over one person buying an entire hospital just to humiliate the other?—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
16 May 2025
Verb
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Last month, Dhillon demoted senior attorneys who handled police abuse investigations to other low-level assignments, such as handling public records requests or adjudicating internal discrimination complaints.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
22 May 2025
-
Blackburn Rovers’ women’s team have been demoted from Women’s Super League 2 after the club decided against putting up the necessary funding for facilities, player welfare and staffing.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
21 May 2025
Verb
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In Colorado, for example, several AI companies recently lobbied to delay and weaken the state’s landmark AI accountability legislation — a preview of what unchecked industry influence could look like under a regulatory freeze.—
Anisha Sircar,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2025
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This includes adults who have weakened immune systems, cancer or other underlying health conditions, and some mental health conditions.—
Claire Bugos,
Verywell Health,
21 May 2025
Verb
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The former Minnesota Democratic congressman was widely shunned for running against Biden and discredited for his accusations that Biden wasn’t capable of being president again.—
Ross O'Keefe,
The Washington Examiner,
22 May 2025
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Injuries contributed to the Pacers’ series wins over the Milwaukee Bucks and the Cleveland Cavaliers, but claiming the Pacers only advanced to the Eastern Conference finals for a second straight postseason because of lucky breaks discredits their greatness.—
Jovan Buha,
New York Times,
22 May 2025
Verb
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The chancellor’s attempt to seek your commission’s forgiveness years after deliberately avoiding your timely permission reads now like a cagey campaign to dodge his duties as steward of our knoll and subvert the relevant rule of law.—
Letters To The Editor,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 May 2025
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Television ‘The Last of Us’ director on Ellie and Dina’s relationship: ‘This is not just a crush’ May 4, 2025 The stakes in Season 1 were very clear — get Ellie to where she can be used to make a cure — even if they were subverted in the end.—
Mary McNamara,
Los Angeles Times,
26 May 2025
Verb
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McGregor dismantled Aldo during the pre-fight lead-up and subsequently embarrassed him in 13 seconds at UFC 194 in 2015.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
11 May 2025
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But Mei is convinced her overbearing mother only exists to embarrass while never understanding her struggles.—
Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal,
Parents,
8 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Degrade.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/degrade. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
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