downgrade

[doun-greyd] / ˈdaʊnˌgreɪd /

NOUN

slope

Synonyms

STRONG

decline declivity descent dip hill inclination pitch

Antonyms

STRONG

ascent improvement increase rise

WEAK

upgrade

VERB

lower in opinion or rank

Synonyms

STRONGEST

degrade demote devalue reduce undervalue

STRONG

abase bench break bump bust decrease decry demerit denigrate depreciate disparage humble minimize

WEAK

declass detract from devalorize disrate mark down run down set back take down a peg write off

Antonyms

STRONGEST

increase overvalue promote raise upgrade

STRONG

approve cherish commend compliment enlarge exalt fix laud mend overrate praise

WEAK

improve

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.

“We see an end to the earnings downgrade cycle.”

From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026

The update brings Lidl's system more line with rival supermarket chains, though some have said it is a downgrade from rewards such as 10% off vouchers for spending £250 in a month.

From BBC • May 5, 2026

The Morgan Stanley downgrade is the latest for Prudential Financial.

From Barron's • May 4, 2026

This is the rationale behind the downgrade to neutral.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 29, 2026

The surveillance department was meant to monitor subprime bonds and downgrade them if the loans that underpinned them went bad.

From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis

downgrade

Example Sentences

Related Words