degrade

[dih-greyd, dee-greyd] / dɪˈgreɪd, diˈgreɪd /

VERB

shame, humiliate

Synonyms

STRONGEST

cheapen corrupt debase degenerate demean deteriorate diminish discredit disgrace downgrade impair lessen reduce vitiate weaken

STRONG

abase belittle bench break bump bust canker debauch decry demote depose deprave derogate detract disbar dishonor disparage humble injure lower pan pervert sink slam

WEAK

bemean cast down cut down to size declass mudsling put down rule out run down shoot down take down take down a peg tear down

Antonyms

STRONGEST

aid assist develop enhance enlarge expand extend grow help honor improve increase praise purify raise strengthen upgrade

STRONG

build up compliment exalt fix flatter laud mend promote rise

WEAK

admire approve elevate

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.

The United States and Israel said that they attacked Iran to degrade its military capacity.

From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026

However, McBeth notes that continued operations would continue to degrade Iran’s command and control structure.

From Salon • Mar. 10, 2026

Over time, fluids can degrade or evaporate, potentially damaging the specimens.

From Science Daily • Mar. 5, 2026

“There is no modern precedent for regime change achieved through air power alone. Bombs can degrade infrastructure. They can weaken capabilities. But they do not manufacture organized political alternatives,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 28, 2026

I could not shake the almost desperate sadness all this evoked, and I marveled that sounds could so degrade the spirit.

From "Black Like Me" by John Howard Griffin

Vocabulary lists containing degrade

30 GRE Words Beginning with "D"

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The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

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How Low Can You Go? Synonyms for "Downward"

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