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.

"Our goal was to find a new chemical strategy that would allow plastics to degrade naturally under everyday conditions without the need for special treatments."

From Science Daily

Existing injectable materials tend to degrade quickly inside the body, which can require repeated injections.

From Science Daily

Analysts say they reflect how Russia is increasingly seeking out ways to degrade Ukraine’s economy.

From The Wall Street Journal

As plastics continue to fragment and degrade under sunlight, the release of MPs DOM is expected to increase.

From Science Daily

"It just shows how degraded this ecosystem is."

From BBC

degrade

Example Sentences

Related Words