1
as in to reduce
to bring to a lower grade or rank
the view that such a system degrades doctors to the status of medical employees who ultimately are not in charge of their patients' health care
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2
as in to deteriorate
to lower in character, dignity, or quality
degrading the school's animal mascot with a silly costume
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3
as in to humiliate
to reduce to a lower standing in one's own eyes or in others' eyes
the players degraded themselves with their crude antics off the field
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of degrade
The findings help explain why batteries often degrade faster than expected, especially under heavy use.
—
Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 31 Mar. 2026
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israeli strikes have killed several Iranian nuclear scientists, framing the campaign as part of a broader effort to degrade Iran’s nuclear program.
—Adam Pourahmadi, CNN Money, 31 Mar. 2026
Most retinol products are restricted to nighttime use because the ingredient degrades in sunlight, so this flexibility is a genuine differentiator.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2026
Exterior cameras from Orion will aim to send back live footage 24/7 for much of the mission, although the image may be slightly degraded, depending on distance and data traffic.
—Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 28 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for degrade
Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 31 Mar. 2026
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israeli strikes have killed several Iranian nuclear scientists, framing the campaign as part of a broader effort to degrade Iran’s nuclear program.
—Adam Pourahmadi, CNN Money, 31 Mar. 2026
Most retinol products are restricted to nighttime use because the ingredient degrades in sunlight, so this flexibility is a genuine differentiator.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2026
Exterior cameras from Orion will aim to send back live footage 24/7 for much of the mission, although the image may be slightly degraded, depending on distance and data traffic.
—Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 28 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for degrade
Recent Examples of Synonyms for degrade
Verb
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Protective styles like low buns or braids can also reduce frizz throughout the day.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
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In her tenure, Colorado has taken major steps to increase price transparency, reduce hospital and prescription drug costs, and hold the health care industry accountable.—
Shaun Boyd,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Last week, Narges was finally allowed a brief visit with her sister and two lawyers, who were alarmed at how rapidly her health had deteriorated.—
Cora Engelbrecht,
New Yorker,
3 Apr. 2026
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And a once modern grid which has deteriorated to developing world standards with widespread load-shedding and blackouts.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Well, everyone in show business has to humiliate themselves sometimes.—
Katherine Turman,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Mar. 2026
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But some Cubans still revere the 1959 revolution, and, as one foreign official told us, have no desire to humiliate Raúl Castro (Fidel’s 94-year-old brother and a former president), or even Díaz-Canel, who is widely viewed as a weak bureaucrat.—
Sarah Fitzpatrick,
The Atlantic,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Walker, 32, appeared as a senior deckhand on the Bravo show before he was demoted by fellow cast member Kelley Johnson after clashing with coworkers.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
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On Wednesday, Johnson demoted CHA Board Chair Matthew Brewer, saying the process that led to Pettigrew's appointment violated state law.—
CBS Chicago Team,
CBS News,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But the president contends there is no excuse for the lack of participation now that Iran's navy has been sunk and its air defenses severely weakened.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
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In the state’s view, that weakens or muddies the legal boundary between the two types of gambling venues.—
Amanda Greenwood,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The Dublin congressman told KRON that the White House hopes to discredit him in the race as a frequent critic and to boost the chances of his Republican rivals.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
29 Mar. 2026
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That is certainly one way to discredit someone.—
Mary Ann Grossmann,
Twin Cities,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The story begins on a train, somewhat subverts the typical strangers-on-a-train narrative in which a chance encounter leads to a love story (that is, the Linklater version rather than the Hitchcock one).—
Deborah Treisman,
New Yorker,
29 Mar. 2026
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Both its physical abilities and global history actively subvert the philosopher’s aphorism.—
Andrés Muedano,
JSTOR Daily,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Harbaugh has taken a blow torch to the Giants’ embarrassing special teams unit.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
25 Mar. 2026
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Tonight’s ceremony had none of the major dramatic mishaps that have both embarrassed the Academy Awards’ organizers and affirmed the event’s status as must-see live TV.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
16 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Degrade.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/degrade. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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