degrade 1 of 3

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
3

degrading

2 of 3

adjective

degrading

3 of 3

verb (2)

present participle of degrade
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
3

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of degrade
Verb
Through all of that, a single nanometer of tin debris coating the collector optic would degrade the EUV transmission to unacceptable levels and put the machine out of commission. Jayson Stewart, IEEE Spectrum, 5 Mar. 2025 There are also plasma eddies and other phenomena that interfere with the operation of satellites and degrade their materials. Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 3 Mar. 2025
Adjective
Thanks to the internet and smartphones, children today have instant access to vast amounts of online pornography, much of it graphic, violent and degrading, Texas state attorneys told the Supreme Court on Wednesday. David G. Savage, Los Angeles Times, 15 Jan. 2025 That smell of vinegar is not just an alarm bell that these objects are destroying themselves but that the degrading polymer is taking down innocent bystanders as well. Sarah Everts, Scientific American, 1 Apr. 2016
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 degrade
Recent Examples of Synonyms for degrade
Adjective
  • Even more difficult in the day-to-day is Donald Trump’s relentless and insulting commentary.
    Ken Dryden, The Atlantic, 23 Feb. 2025
  • The incredibly insulting idea of canceling the name of the prolific U.S. Rep. Henry Hyde was bad enough.
    Naperville Sun, Chicago Tribune, 21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • How Sculptor Meta Warrick Challenged White Supremacy A 1907 exhibition on the founding of Jamestown featured the work of an artist determined to counter demeaning stereotypes.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 20 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • As the technology behind deepfakes advances, the need to fight their malicious usage has never been greater.
    Rohan Pinto, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
  • Now, Microsoft has identified a resurfaced malware that has returned after years, equipped with new malicious capabilities, including stealing sensitive information such as digital wallets and data from the legitimate Notes app.
    Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, Fox News, 27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Lexington Law may be able to remove charge-offs and other derogatory marks depending on their legitimacy.
    Victor Rosario, Sacramento Bee, 26 Feb. 2025
  • Listen to this article CONCACAF has launched an investigation into an incident late in Tuesday’s Champions Cup match between the Colorado Rapids and LAFC in which LAFC defender Sergi Palencia allegedly used a derogatory term toward Rapids defender Chidozie Awaziem.
    Braidon Nourse, The Denver Post, 26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • During Monday's hearing, Washington, D.C., federal judge Amy Berman Jackson asked a DOJ lawyer if protecting consumers from unfair, deceptive and abusive practices is a policy of the administration.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025
  • Debt collectors are prohibited by federal laws from engaging in abusive and unfair practices.
    Staff, Sacramento Bee, 26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The 2023 Economic Report Of The President published in March of 2023 was relatively disparaging of cryptoassets and DLTs.
    Lawrence Wintermeyer, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024
  • Prior to appearing on Cunningham's show on Monday, Huggins made more disparaging remarks about Xavier.
    Emily DeLetter, The Enquirer, 10 May 2023
Adjective
  • Metamask Card Brings Crypto Natives Real World Utility The critical innovation now happening is connecting these stablecoins directly to everyday payment systems without sacrificing self-custody: a principle that separates crypto from traditional finance.
    Boaz Sobrado, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025
  • Navigating healthy relationships can be challenging for both teens and parents, but caution and open communication are critical to prevent acts of violence.
    Julianna Bragg, CNN, 8 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Degrade.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/degrade. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

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