as in insulting
intended to make a person or thing seem of little importance or value
made degrading comments about his so-called friend behind his back
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in reducing
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in deteriorating
to lower in character, dignity, or quality
degrading the school's animal mascot with a silly costume
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in humiliating
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of degrading
Sarah Everts, Scientific American, 1 Apr. 2016
The source added that Trump’s history of attacking the Obama family and making degrading comments about people of color doesn’t sit well with her.
—Vivian Kwarm, New York Daily News, 15 Jan. 2025
Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 8 Dec. 2024
What a degrading finale for Biden’s feeble, forgettable, frequently foolish presidency.
—Bret Stephens, The Mercury News, 3 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for degrading
Adjective
In the case of the white-telephone-cord purse, Curran sniffed out the presence of plasticizers that typically emerge from degrading PVC—a useful alarm bell for staff who may want to store the purse in a sealed container.
—Sarah Everts, Scientific American, 1 Apr. 2016
The source added that Trump’s history of attacking the Obama family and making degrading comments about people of color doesn’t sit well with her.
—Vivian Kwarm, New York Daily News, 15 Jan. 2025
Verb
These strikes targeted weapons depots, Iranian bases, and key logistical routes, severely degrading Tehran's ability to support its proxies.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 8 Dec. 2024
What a degrading finale for Biden’s feeble, forgettable, frequently foolish presidency.
—Bret Stephens, The Mercury News, 3 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for degrading
Recent Examples of Synonyms for degrading
Adjective
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Russian politicians and state media were thrilled to hear the U.S. president backing their insulting and obvious lies.—
Elizabeth Shackelford,
Orlando Sentinel,
27 Feb. 2025
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La Liga players are often shown red cards for taking protests past the level which referees deem acceptable, sometimes for words which are less insulting or disrespectful than what was said by Bellingham.—
Dermot Corrigan,
The Athletic,
17 Feb. 2025
Verb
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This could ensure more consistent calls, reducing the controversy often seen in high-stakes games.—
Giovanni Malloy,
Forbes,
6 Jan. 2025
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State governments, as well as drug manufacturers, provide financial help to the uninsured, often reducing the cost of PrEP medicines to zero.—
James K. Glassman,
Boston Herald,
6 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Her body is deteriorating in front of us, and yet my daughter and her vet say, if (the dog) looks happy, leave her be.—
Joan Morris,
The Mercury News,
30 Dec. 2024
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With the relationship between the two companies deteriorating, Qualcomm may have to consider using another architecture before its ALA expires in 2033.—
Jim McGregor,
Forbes,
20 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Many of the conspiracy theories have prompted FEMA to create a page on its site discrediting rumors and false information about its response to Hurricane Helene.—
Nicole Sganga,
CBS News,
14 Oct. 2024
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Still, the United States didn’t recognize Haiti as a nation until 1862, during the Civil War, when American leadership was looking for any support in discrediting slavery.—
Chadd Scott,
Forbes,
10 Oct. 2024
Adjective
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And the system was routinely demeaning and dismissive.—
Sarah Lustbader,
The New Yorker,
9 Mar. 2025
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While handcuffing and removing the belts and shoelaces of deportees is standard practice in this type of operation, both Oquendo and Barrientos feel they were treated in a demeaning way by US immigration officials, especially when boarding the military flight in the early hours of Sunday.—
Stefano Pozzebon,
CNN,
29 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious apps is to have antivirus software installed on all your devices.—
Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report,
Fox News,
11 Mar. 2025
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Fraudsters are increasingly using generative AI to write convincing phishing emails, improve deepfakes, and draft new forms of malicious code — making scams harder to detect.—
Sam Sabin,
Axios,
11 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Moffett also said artificial intelligence isn’t driving an upgrade cycle as hoped, noting that there is weakening demand in China along with antitrust concerns.—
Jason Gewirtz,
CNBC,
8 Jan. 2025
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With high expectations for future new orders along with expanding current new orders, the outlooks for material handling and supply chain industries are positive, despite some weakening in the December MHI BAI report.—
Jason Schenker,
Forbes,
7 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Historic barriers Examples include lack of mentors, lack of female role models, gender bias, derogatory behavior in the workplace, unequal growth opportunities, lesser wage scenarios, and more.—
Paige Francis,
Forbes,
8 Mar. 2025
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Beyond the financial aspect, Cardi’s legal team secured additional protections, including a non-disparagement clause that strictly bars Tasha K from making defamatory or derogatory remarks about the rapper or her family.—
Amber Corrine,
VIBE.com,
6 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Degrading.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/degrading. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.
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