Definitions

degrade

[dih-greyd, dee-greyd] / dɪˈgreɪd, diˈgreɪd /

VERB

shame, humiliate

Synonyms

STRONGEST

cheapen corrupt debase degenerate demean deteriorate diminish discredit disgrace downgrade impair lessen reduce vitiate weaken

STRONG

abase belittle bench break bump bust canker debauch decry demote depose deprave derogate detract disbar dishonor disparage humble injure lower pan pervert sink slam

WEAK

bemean cast down cut down to size declass mudsling put down rule out run down shoot down take down take down a peg tear down

Antonyms

STRONGEST

aid assist develop enhance enlarge expand extend grow help honor improve increase praise purify raise strengthen upgrade

STRONG

build up compliment exalt fix flatter laud mend promote rise

WEAK

admire approve elevate

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Degrade, and throw mud on, the love she has had for him?

From Five Little Plays by Sutro, Alfred

Degrade the immutable Ideas: you obtain, by that alone, the perpetual flux of things.

From Creative Evolution by Mitchell, Arthur

And for this you will not hesitate to rob him of all his friends, to embitter his future life, to degrade him among his peers,—" "Degrade him!

From Phineas Finn The Irish Member by Trollope, Anthony

Wherefore did the angrye emperour Degrade thys merrye lorde?

From A Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 3 by Bullen, A. H. (Arthur Henry)

Degrade may refer to either station or character.

From English Synonyms and Antonyms With Notes on the Correct Use of Prepositions by Fernald, James Champlin

Vocabulary lists containing degrade

30 GRE Words Beginning with "D"

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The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

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How Low Can You Go? Synonyms for "Downward"

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