degrade Definition
- 1to treat someone or something poorly and without respect
- 2to reduce the quality or value of something
- 3to break down or decompose chemically
Using degrade: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "degrade" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The boss's constant criticism degraded his employees' morale.
Example
The pollution in the river degrades the water quality.
Example
The metal will degrade over time if not properly stored.
degrade Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with degrade
self-degradation
the act of belittling or humiliating oneself
Example
Her constant self-degradation is a sign of low self-esteem.
Example
He degraded himself by begging for money on the street.
Example
The peaceful protest degraded into violence and chaos.
Origins of degrade
from Old French 'degré', meaning 'step'
Summary: degrade in Brief
To degrade [dɪˈɡreɪd] means to treat someone or something poorly, reduce quality or value, or break down chemically. Examples include 'The boss's constant criticism degraded his employees' morale,' and 'The pollution in the river degrades the water quality.' Phrases include 'self-degradation,' 'degrade oneself,' and 'degrade into.' Synonyms include 'humiliate,' 'disgrace,' and 'lower.'