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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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of degrade
But War Child’s work goes beyond that to focus on users living in environments with severely degraded, if not destroyed, infrastructure.
—
Nicholas Gordon, Fortune Asia, 29 Dec. 2024
Just like a smartphone, these batteries degrade over time.
—Julian Chokkattu, WIRED, 29 Dec. 2024
Avoid freezing for too long, as your batter may degrade in quality or effectiveness (in the case of leavening agents) over time.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 22 Dec. 2024
This air bag issue is separate from the largest automotive recall in history, that of 67 million Takata air bag inflators, whose metal canisters degrade with age, heat and humidity, and can, without warning, become bombs.
—David Shepardson, Detroit Free Press, 19 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for degrade 
Nicholas Gordon, Fortune Asia, 29 Dec. 2024
Just like a smartphone, these batteries degrade over time.
—Julian Chokkattu, WIRED, 29 Dec. 2024
Avoid freezing for too long, as your batter may degrade in quality or effectiveness (in the case of leavening agents) over time.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 22 Dec. 2024
This air bag issue is separate from the largest automotive recall in history, that of 67 million Takata air bag inflators, whose metal canisters degrade with age, heat and humidity, and can, without warning, become bombs.
—David Shepardson, Detroit Free Press, 19 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for degrade
Recent Examples of Synonyms for degrade
Verb
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Customers who don’t upgrade will see their rates reduced by about $13 while losing access to the regional sports networks.Jason Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 15 Jan. 2025
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Studies show that cigarettes with lower nicotine content reduce people’s dependence on nicotine and can help alleviate some of the cravings associated with withdrawal.Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 15 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Inspectors noted that dish racks had deteriorated with significant debris buildup.Hannah Poukish, Sacramento Bee, 10 Jan. 2025
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Snow will begin across Middle Tennessee early Friday morning, the weather service said, and conditions will deteriorate as the day progresses.Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 9 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Illinois has the seventh-highest scoring offense in Division I, but was humiliated to 29 percent shooting, and the otherwise-excellent Kasparas Jakučionis had more turnovers (seven) than made baskets (five, on 15 tries).Steven Louis Goldstein, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025
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Over several years, victims were beaten, threatened and humiliated, while perpetrators befriended parents to screen them from the systemic abuse.Dan Perry, Newsweek, 4 Jan. 2025
Verb
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While Jenny West finished in first place, Michele Fitzgerald finished in second, and Rachel Robinson finished in third, the Karma vote bumped Rachel up to tie with Jenny for first place, and Michele was demoted to third place.Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, 9 Jan. 2025
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He was also demoted that same year from a top WWE wrestler to being part of a comedic group known as 3MB.Kelsey Lentz, People.com, 6 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The widening yield differentials between Chinese and U.S. sovereign bonds could risk encouraging capital outflows and put further pressure on the yuan that has been weakening against the greenback.Anniek Bao, CNBC, 10 Jan. 2025
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Elon Musk, one of Trump’s confidants, has already met with Iran’s UN ambassador; now that Israel has weakened Tehran and pummeled its proxies in the Middle East, a diplomatic breakthrough may be achievable.Charles A. Kupchan, The Atlantic, 10 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Beyond her work as a lobbyist, Bondi solidified her reputation as a Trump loyalist by defending him on the floor of the Senate during his first impeachment and helping his efforts to discredit the 2020 election results.Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 15 Jan. 2025
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The AfD has strongly rejected the designation, portraying it as a political attempt to discredit the party.Vanessa Gera, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The brand subverts the ideal of regular clothing by selling clothing that has distinct detailing alongside excellent materials.Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 16 Jan. 2025
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Mayes’s request comes as Garland is waging a legal battle to release the portion of Smith’s two-volume final report regarding the special counsel’s findings on Trump’s efforts to subvert the 2020 election results.Ella Lee, The Hill, 13 Jan. 2025
Verb
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But the fanbases of those games are not buying it, and have undergone a campaign to embarrass Musk as much as possible about his claims, dragging him into childish internet fights.Paul Tassi, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025
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And, yes, some justices should also regret embarrassing the court by needlessly attracting attention to their ethics.Michael Gfoeller And David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near degrade
Cite this Entry
“Degrade.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/degrade. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
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