Definitions

downgrade

[doun-greyd] / ˈdaʊnˌgreɪd /

NOUN

slope

Synonyms

STRONG

decline declivity descent dip hill inclination pitch

Antonyms

STRONG

ascent improvement increase rise

WEAK

upgrade

VERB

lower in opinion or rank

Synonyms

STRONGEST

degrade demote devalue reduce undervalue

STRONG

abase bench break bump bust decrease decry demerit denigrate depreciate disparage humble minimize

WEAK

declass detract from devalorize disrate mark down run down set back take down a peg write off

Antonyms

STRONGEST

increase overvalue promote raise upgrade

STRONG

approve cherish commend compliment enlarge exalt fix laud mend overrate praise

WEAK

improve

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.

It won’t even downgrade him to not being the richest guy who has ever lived.

From Slate • Jun. 5, 2026

They downgrade their rating on the stock to underperform.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 3, 2026

The downgrade is one catalyst for the red numbers.

From Barron's • Jun. 1, 2026

To suggest otherwise is to downgrade his work unfairly.

From BBC • May 30, 2026

I think what he needed was evidence to downgrade the stock.”

From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis