Finesentence logo

Degrade: meaning, definitions and examples

🔽
Add to dictionary

degrade

 

[ dɪˈɡreɪd ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

social behavior

To treat or regard someone with contempt or disrespect, to lower in quality or value, to deteriorate gradually.

Synonyms

debase, diminish, disparage, lower

Examples of usage

  • He felt degraded by her constant criticism.
  • The quality of the product has degraded over time.
  • If we continue to degrade the environment, future generations will suffer.
  • I don't want to degrade myself by stooping to his level.
  • She was degraded by the way she was treated at work.

Translations

Translations of the word "degrade" in other languages:

🇵🇹 degradar

🇮🇳 अवमूल्यन करना

🇩🇪 herabsetzen

🇮🇩 merendahkan

🇺🇦 деградувати

🇵🇱 degradować

🇯🇵 劣化する (れっかする)

🇫🇷 dégrader

🇪🇸 degradar

🇹🇷 aşağılamak

🇰🇷 저하시키다

🇸🇦 تدهور

🇨🇿 zhoršit

🇸🇰 zhoršiť

🇨🇳 降级 (jiàngjí)

🇸🇮 poslabšati

🇮🇸 niðurlægja

🇰🇿 құлдырау

🇬🇪 დაშლა

🇦🇿 alçaltmaq

🇲🇽 degradar

Etymology

The word 'degrade' originated from the Latin word 'degradare', which means 'to reduce in rank'. It was first used in the 14th century in English. Over time, the meaning of 'degrade' has evolved to include the concept of lowering in quality or value. The word is commonly used in social contexts to describe the disrespectful treatment of others.

See also: downgrade, gradable, graded, grader, grades, grading, upgrade, upgrader.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #14,311, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.