down·grade
ˈdau̇n-ˌgrād 
1
: a downward grade (as of a road)
2
: a descent toward an inferior state
a career on the downgrade
downgraded; downgrading; downgrades
Examples of downgrade in a Sentence
Noun
a downgrade in the company's stock prices
a singing career on the downgrade
Verb
The restaurant was downgraded from three to two stars.
She didn't intend to downgrade the importance of her colleague's work.
Recent Examples on the Web
Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 20 Mar. 2025
This has led to a general downgrade in the US economic outlook, as firms hesitate to invest, and households become more cautious with spending.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 17 Mar. 2025
Lucie Lapovsky, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Star guard Damian Lillard has been downgraded ahead of this game with the Lakers.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for downgrade
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Noun
Stellantis — The automaker slipped 4% following a downgrade to neutral from overweight at Piper Sandler.
—Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 20 Mar. 2025
This has led to a general downgrade in the US economic outlook, as firms hesitate to invest, and households become more cautious with spending.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 17 Mar. 2025
Verb
Moody’s has just downgraded its outlook for higher education for 2025 from stable to negative citing the actions the government has taken and is threatening to take against colleges and universities.
—Lucie Lapovsky, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Star guard Damian Lillard has been downgraded ahead of this game with the Lakers.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for downgrade
Cite this Entry
“Downgrade.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/downgrade. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
downgrade
1 of 2 noun
down·grade
-ˌgrād
1
: a downward slope
2
: a lowering toward a worse condition
a neighborhood on the downgrade
downgrade
adverb
downgrade
2 of 2 verb
: to lower in grade, rank, or standing
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