Degrade Definition – Meaning And Usage In A Sentence

What word do you use to refer to someone or something reduced from its former glory? There are many answers to this question. However, understanding the “degrade definition” will give you a concrete answer.

Degrade means “to reduce or lower from a higher to lower rank, reduce in quality, or lower complexity.” Use the term when describing something or someone who has deteriorated, degraded, demeaned, mortified, torn down, or demoralized. Degrade also means to reduce in altitude or magnitude.

Degrade is a simple English word with multiple meanings. However, most people only know one of its meanings; to lower quality. This post discusses its other meanings, history, pronunciation, spelling, and how you can use it in sentences.

What Is The Definition Of Degrade?

Degrade means “to scale down in desirability or salability, strip rank, or bring down to low esteem or disrepute.”

Below are some sentence examples;

• The media did not degrade his profession, but he kept blaming them and society.
• The inhumane punishments were meant to degrade and humiliate the prisoners.
• Using low-quality material for repairs will degrade your vehicle with time.

Use Of Degrade In Different Contexts

This word applies in many scenarios because of its simple and multiple meanings. Learn about four scenarios you can use the word “degrade” below. There is an example in each case for easy understanding of the particular context.

• To negatively explain someone or something’s quality or character. (The employees complained about how their manager would degrade them publicly).
• To shame or lower in standing or honor. (The riots forced the chief to degrade from his rank to a lower one).
• To adulterate or dilute the concentration or potency. (The water will degrade the quality of the chemicals).
• To break down or deteriorate organically or chemically. (The machines degrade with time because of their low quality).

Questions Most People Ask About Degrade

Learning a new word, however simple it is, can be challenging. Therefore, you may have some questions and no one to answer them for you. The section below should come in handy.

• What does degrade mean in geology? In this field, degrade means to reduce in altitude or magnitude, like hills or mountains. So, for example, “The hillside will degrade with time because of the constant soil erosion.”
• What does degrade mean in science? In chemistry, degrade means reducing the complexity of a chemical compound or decomposing. For example, “The enzymes will degrade if you do not use the right storage procedures.”
• When can you use the word degrade? You can use the word degrade to explain something that has been reduced in rank or quality. You can also use it to explain organic or chemical breakdown.
• What is the difference between degrade and deteriorate? One of the synonyms for “degrade” is “deteriorate.” However, the two cannot be used synonymously in all contexts. For instance, you cannot use “deteriorate” to describe lowering someone in rank.

What Is The Meaning Of Degrade?

Degrade means to lower in value or position or reduce in quality or purity. It might be in terms of a position someone holds, results after an undertaking, or compromised food or chemical standards.

Here are some sentence examples;

• James was forced to degrade from a chief to a regular officer after the incident with the drivers.
• I did not wish my marriage to be like a prison and degrade me from who I used to be.
• The most interesting part of the presidential debate is how the candidates try to degrade each other with insults and name-calling.

Synonyms Of Degrade

Synonyms are words you can use in place of each other. However, the synonyms do not usually have 100% the same meaning. They are usually quite similar and can be used interchangeably within specific contexts. Below are examples of synonyms of degrade.

• Diminish
• Shame
• Disgrace 
• Injure
• Mortify
• Profane
• Deteriorate
• Cheapen
• Subvert

Antonyms Of Degrade

Antonyms are words with opposite meanings. In this case, the antonyms for “degrade” mean “to raise in rank or make better.” Here are some antonyms for degrade.

• Elevate
• Dignify
• Ennoble
• Exalt
• Enhance
• Uplift
• Compliment
• Enlarge 

Words That Rhyme With Degrade

Rhymes are words that sound the same or have the same last syllable. When studying a new word, you should explore its rhymes for writing or composing poems. You can also use rhyming words for better language comprehension. Here are a few words that rhyme with “degrade;”

• Upgrade
• Cascade
• Parade
• Grade
• Debate
• Masquerade
• Evade
• Invade

How To Use Degrade In A Sentence

You can use the word “degrade” in a sentence as a transitive or intransitive verb. A transitive verb describes an action done directly by someone or something. On the other hand, an intransitive verb describes actions not performed on a direct object.

Different Word Forms Of Degrade

Many English words have four standard forms; verb, noun, adjective, and adverb. However, depending on the word, they can have more forms, like past and present tenses and singular and plural forms. Therefore, some words may have more forms than others. Below are the standard word forms for “degrade.”

• The past tense of degrade is “degraded.” For example, in a sentence, “Installing the old parts on the engine degraded its performance instead of fixing it.”
• The present participle of degrade is “degrading.” For instance, “The tone in which Melisa spoke to her employees was very degrading.”
• The present participle of degrade is “degraded.” For example, “You do not have to be so degrading towards your employees, even if you do not value them.”
• The third-person singular simple present indicative form of degrade is “degrades.” In a sentence, “Over time, the insulation of the flexible wires degrades, allowing current to flow through more erratically.”
• The adjective for “degrade” is the word degradative. For example, in a sentence, “The machines often go through degradative processes from the first time you start using them.”
• Other word forms for “degrade” are; degradable and degradational.

10 Examples Of Degrade In A Sentence

Degrade is easy to use in sentences because of its clear meaning. However, if you are learning about it for the first time, you may experience difficulty applying this word if you do not have a few examples to get you started. For this reason, we prepared the following examples for you;

1. A small crack in concrete may seem like a simple issue; however, it can significantly degrade an entire structure.
2. If you keep ignoring the water on your carpet, it will eventually degrade it sooner than you think.
3. Installing too many unknown programs on your computer will significantly degrade its performance.
4. The machine is in perfect condition now; however, its assembly could degrade or erode over time.
5. The error in the main engine causes collisions and transmission flaws that degrade overall productivity in the factories.
6. Using untreated water in your garden will degrade the soil’s fertility and damage your plants.
7. Jane strongly believes that marrying George will degrade her.
8. Vices weaken and degrade nations, which can destroy their social environments and economic status.
9. No one has tried to degrade you, but your actions are degrading everyone else.
10. It is a great tool in your garden; however, using it unnaturally will degrade its performance.

How Do You Spell Degrade?

The correct spelling for this word is “D.E.G.R.A.D.E.”

Degrade is a word you cannot struggle with its spelling. However, people still make simple spelling mistakes, like forgetting the “a” and using an “e” instead. Therefore, you may benefit from constant practice if you have trouble spelling it.

How Do You Pronounce Degrade?

The right pronunciation for “degrade” is “/di-ˈgrād/” or “duh.grayd.”

Are you finding it hard to go with most pronunciations provided online? You can say “dih – greyd” or “dee – greyd.” Both pronunciations apply in American English.

How Many Syllables Are in Degrade?

The word degrade has two syllables.

The two syllables are divided into “de – grade.” Additionally, the stressed syllable (one that requires emphasis during pronunciation) is “- grade.”

History & Etymology of Degrade

The word degrade comes from the 14th century “degraden,” meaning “to deprive of office, dignity or lower from a higher to lower position.”

Another word associated with the origin of degrade is “degrader,” an Old French 12th-century word meaning “to deprive office or rank.” Another origin is the word “desgradi” which comes from the prefix “des,” meaning “down,” and Latin “gradi,” meaning “to walk, go, or step.”

When Was Degrade First Used?

Sources claim that the first use of the word degrade was in the late 14th century.

At this time, the word meant “to lower from a superior to an inferior rank.” However, from the 1640s, the word took on another meaning; “to lower in character or cause to deteriorate.” Finally, by the 1850s, degrade became a transitive verb for “to degenerate or deteriorate.”

Conclusion

After reading this article on degrade definition, meaning, and usage, you can easily answer the question at the beginning of this post. Start using this word in conversations and writings, and don’t look back. However, ensure you master the meanings and check out all the provided examples beforehand.