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.

Iran will emerge from the conflict with severely degraded land, air and sea capabilities, and its regional ambitions tampered.

From The Wall Street Journal

It will certainly degrade and damage Iran’s infrastructure, standing, mystique.

From The Wall Street Journal

The resolution said that Ukraine’s energy infrastructure “remains extremely degraded,” which reduces “the reliability of external power for nuclear power plants.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Over time, fluids can degrade or evaporate, potentially damaging the specimens.

From Science Daily

It underscores how much last June’s attack had degraded Iran’s capacity to compete in the skies or mount a major retaliatory response.

From The Wall Street Journal

degrade

Example Sentences

Related Words