Downgrade: meaning, definitions and examples

Used mostly in a professional or technical context when lowering the rank, status, or level of something or someone.

• The credit rating agency decided to downgrade the company's credit rating due to poor performance.
• After the reorganization, he was downgraded from manager to assistant.

Generally used in various contexts to indicate a reduction in number, size, or amount of something.

• The company noticed a decrease in sales over the last quarter.
• There has been a significant decrease in the number of reported crimes in the area.

Commonly used to indicate lowering the size, amount, or degree of something. It is neutral and can be used in various situations.

• We need to reduce our carbon footprint to protect the environment.
• He is trying to reduce his expenses to save money.

Often used to show a gradual reduction in size, importance, or intensity of something.

• The funds available for the project have diminished over the years.
• Attempts to diminish the role of educators in society have met with resistance.

Used to describe a situation, condition, or object getting worse over time, often with a negative connotation.

• The patient's health began to deteriorate rapidly after the surgery.
• Environmental conditions have deteriorated due to pollution.

Typically used in business or technology to refer to reducing the quality, rank, or status of something. Often associated with a negative change or a decrease in value.

• The company's credit rating was downgraded due to the economic downturn
• He had to downgrade his phone plan to save money

Used in an employment or hierarchical context to refer to a reduction in someone's rank or position. It is usually perceived negatively by the individual receiving the demotion.

• After the incident, he faced a demotion and a pay cut
• Her constant tardiness led to her demotion from manager to assistant

Mostly used in environmental, social, or moral contexts to refer to the process of something becoming worse or deteriorating over time. It generally has a strong negative connotation.

• The oil spill caused severe environmental degradation
• There has been a degradation of public morals over the years

Primarily used in sports or hierarchical structures to refer to dropping to a lower division or rank. Often viewed as a negative outcome, particularly in competitive contexts.

• The team's poor performance led to their relegation to a lower league
• Mismanagement of the project resulted in its relegation to lower priority

General term applicable in various contexts to refer to making something less in amount, value, or rank. It is neutral and doesn't inherently carry a positive or negative connotation.

• The charity is focused on lowering the poverty rate
• Lowering the curtain signaled the end of the performance