as in insulting
intended to make a person or thing seem of little importance or value
made degrading comments about his so-called friend behind his back
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in reducing
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in deteriorating
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 humiliating
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 degrading
David G. Savage, Los Angeles Times, 15 Jan. 2025
That smell of vinegar is not just an alarm bell that these objects are destroying themselves but that the degrading polymer is taking down innocent bystanders as well.
—Sarah Everts, Scientific American, 1 Apr. 2016
Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 8 Dec. 2024
What a degrading finale for Biden’s feeble, forgettable, frequently foolish presidency.
—Bret Stephens, The Mercury News, 3 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for degrading
Adjective
Thanks to the internet and smartphones, children today have instant access to vast amounts of online pornography, much of it graphic, violent and degrading, Texas state attorneys told the Supreme Court on Wednesday.
—David G. Savage, Los Angeles Times, 15 Jan. 2025
That smell of vinegar is not just an alarm bell that these objects are destroying themselves but that the degrading polymer is taking down innocent bystanders as well.
—Sarah Everts, Scientific American, 1 Apr. 2016
Verb
These strikes targeted weapons depots, Iranian bases, and key logistical routes, severely degrading Tehran's ability to support its proxies.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 8 Dec. 2024
What a degrading finale for Biden’s feeble, forgettable, frequently foolish presidency.
—Bret Stephens, The Mercury News, 3 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for degrading
Recent Examples of Synonyms for degrading
Adjective
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Even more difficult in the day-to-day is Donald Trump’s relentless and insulting commentary.—
Ken Dryden,
The Atlantic,
23 Feb. 2025
-
The incredibly insulting idea of canceling the name of the prolific U.S. Rep. Henry Hyde was bad enough.—
Naperville Sun,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Nations are now embedding climate into trade policy, such as the European Union’s carbon tariff that holds imports to EU environmental standards, and linking reducing carbon pollution to industrial policy.—
Mindy Lubber,
Forbes,
6 Jan. 2025
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Conversely, by reducing the number of vehicles entering Manhattan, the initiative could dramatically transform the urban commuting experience.—
Jack Kelly,
Forbes,
6 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Her body is deteriorating in front of us, and yet my daughter and her vet say, if (the dog) looks happy, leave her be.—
Joan Morris,
The Mercury News,
30 Dec. 2024
-
With the relationship between the two companies deteriorating, Qualcomm may have to consider using another architecture before its ALA expires in 2033.—
Jim McGregor,
Forbes,
20 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Many of the conspiracy theories have prompted FEMA to create a page on its site discrediting rumors and false information about its response to Hurricane Helene.—
Nicole Sganga,
CBS News,
14 Oct. 2024
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Still, the United States didn’t recognize Haiti as a nation until 1862, during the Civil War, when American leadership was looking for any support in discrediting slavery.—
Chadd Scott,
Forbes,
10 Oct. 2024
Adjective
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While handcuffing and removing the belts and shoelaces of deportees is standard practice in this type of operation, both Oquendo and Barrientos feel they were treated in a demeaning way by US immigration officials, especially when boarding the military flight in the early hours of Sunday.—
Stefano Pozzebon,
CNN,
29 Jan. 2025
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How Sculptor Meta Warrick Challenged White Supremacy A 1907 exhibition on the founding of Jamestown featured the work of an artist determined to counter demeaning stereotypes.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
20 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Now, Microsoft has identified a resurfaced malware that has returned after years, equipped with new malicious capabilities, including stealing sensitive information such as digital wallets and data from the legitimate Notes app.—
Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report,
Fox News,
27 Feb. 2025
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As the technology behind deepfakes advances, the need to fight their malicious usage has never been greater.—
Rohan Pinto,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Moffett also said artificial intelligence isn’t driving an upgrade cycle as hoped, noting that there is weakening demand in China along with antitrust concerns.—
Jason Gewirtz,
CNBC,
8 Jan. 2025
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With high expectations for future new orders along with expanding current new orders, the outlooks for material handling and supply chain industries are positive, despite some weakening in the December MHI BAI report.—
Jason Schenker,
Forbes,
7 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Listen to this article CONCACAF has launched an investigation into an incident late in Tuesday’s Champions Cup match between the Colorado Rapids and LAFC in which LAFC defender Sergi Palencia allegedly used a derogatory term toward Rapids defender Chidozie Awaziem.—
Braidon Nourse,
The Denver Post,
26 Feb. 2025
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Lexington Law may be able to remove charge-offs and other derogatory marks depending on their legitimacy.—
Victor Rosario,
Sacramento Bee,
26 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Degrading.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/degrading. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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