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.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said at the time that the goal was to “destroy or severely degrade Iran’s nuclear program.”

From MarketWatch

But time and again the poisonous isolation that absolute power imposes on its wielders blunted the edge of their insight and degraded the capacity of their societies.

From The Wall Street Journal

However she said many unknowns remain, with much depending "on how ByteDance tweaks the weaker links - such as data separation, update frequency, and oversight mechanisms - without degrading performance".

From BBC

This type of intrusion is especially harmful during fast charging, when very small cracks can widen into deeper channels that permanently degrade the battery.

From Science Daily

The researchers warn that microplastics also release greenhouse gases as they degrade, further amplifying their impact on the climate system.

From Science Daily

degrade

Example Sentences

Related Words