Downgrading: meaning, definitions and examples

Appropriate in formal settings, often used when talking about ratings, status, or ranks being lowered.

• The company faced downgrading of its credit rating by major agencies
• The airline experienced a downgrading from a five-star rating

Used in slightly formal contexts and can refer to both physical quality and social status or moral decline. It often carries a negative connotation.

• Pollutants degrade water quality
• He felt degraded by the unfair accusations

Commonly used in everyday language for general purposes to mean making something smaller or less in amount, degree, or size.

• They decided to reduce their spending
• To lose weight, you need to reduce your calorie intake

Applicable in both formal and informal settings to indicate a decrease in size, importance, or strength.

• Her influence in the company began to diminish after the new management took over
• The medicine helped to diminish the pain