Degrade
Definition, Meaning & Examples
Pronunciation /dɪˈɡɹeɪd/ · Part of speech verb
Quick meaning: Degrade is a verb meaning (transitive) To lower in value or social position.
Meaning
(transitive) To lower in value or social position.
More Meanings
- (intransitive, ergative) To reduce in quality or purity.
- (transitive, geology) To reduce in altitude or magnitude, as hills and mountains; to wear down.
Example Sentences
The DNA sample has degraded.
Fred degrades himself by his behaviour.
[…] [William] Prynne was sentenced by the Star-Chamber Court to be degraded from the bar, to stand in pillory at two places in London and lose an ear at each, to be branded on the forehead, to pay a fine of five thousand pounds, and to be imprisoned for life.
Word Forms
- degrades
- degrading
- degraded
Synonyms for degrade
Depending on context, synonyms include abase, debase, demean, avile, debauch, depreciate.
Antonyms for degrade
Common opposites include aggrade.
Related Words
Related dictionary entries include demean, cheapen, disgrace, put down, abase, degradation.
Related Dictionary Tools
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.