degrade

USAGE SUMMARY

'degrade' is a valid word in written English.
You can use it as a verb meaning to lower in quality or status, humiliate, or treat someone with disrespect. For example, "The bully's actions were designed to degrade their victim."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We are in the early stages of what is going to be, as President Obama has said, a long-term effort," she told NBC. "We're trying over time to degrade and ultimately destroy [Isis].

The Guardian

If they're worried by it, what was the message they were sending by letting professional attention-seeker Geoffrey Edelston hijack and degrade Malthouse's record-breaking 715th game, of all occasions, when Edelsten dragged his sleazy one-man circus into the coaching box for the sake of coterie funds?

The Guardian - Sport

"My worry is that professionals will focus on the pound signs and degrade the model, or worse, make it the default model in adult social care.

The Guardian

Professor Richard Thompson, the marine scientist from Plymouth University who coined the term "microplastics" and has traced how plastics degrade in the ocean, has consistently pointed out that nine different polymers consistent with water bottle production are routinely found in marine samples.

The Guardian - Opinion

The allegations about Adams's central role in the IRA during the worst years of the Troubles will undoubtedly further degrade his public image in the Irish Republic, where Sinn Féin's fortunes have gone into dramatic reverse, leaving the party politically irrelevant.

The Guardian

Who are these people who think it's fun to degrade a woman as she rides her bike?

The Guardian

Instead, America repeatedly ends up with bombing campaigns intended to "deter" an enemy or "degrade" their capabilities, and nothing else.

The Economist

Coming hours after Barack Obama had declared that he was building an international coalition to "degrade and ultimately destroy" IS and that he would "not hesitate to take action" in Syria as well as Iraq, it made Britain look like a confused, half-hearted ally.In this section The tax-free recovery Back into the fray Hallowed be thy game Paying the field Death of a salesman Hello world!

The Economist

Time away from the labour market reduces women's earning power, as their skills degrade and they miss chances to gain experience and win promotion.

The Economist

The murder of two American hostages led to a broader strategy to "degrade and ultimately destroy" IS.This involved two separate but related operations.

The Economist

The challenges of overcoming a lack of infrastructure, and establishing a second-hand market (because batteries degrade over time and are pricey to replace), have yet to be resolved.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "degrade", consider the specific context to choose the most appropriate synonym for a nuanced meaning. For instance, "deteriorate" may be better for physical objects, while "abase" is more suitable for personal conduct.

Common error

Avoid using "degrade" when "decline" is more appropriate for general decreases. "Degrade" implies a reduction in quality or status, whereas "decline" simply indicates a decrease in amount or number.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "degrade" is as a verb. It describes an action that reduces the quality, value, or status of something. Ludwig examples showcase its use in various contexts, such as degrading materials or a person's image.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

The Economist

20%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "degrade" functions as a verb indicating a decline in quality, status, or value. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use across diverse contexts. It's prevalent in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business writing. When using "degrade", consider the nuances of similar words like "deteriorate" or "diminish" to ensure accuracy. Avoid confusing it with "decline", which implies a more general decrease. Overall, "degrade" is a versatile and widely understood term for expressing negative changes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deteriorate

Emphasizes a gradual decline in quality or condition.

decline

A general term for a decrease in quality or condition.

diminish

Focuses on a reduction in size, extent, or importance.

weaken

Suggests a loss of strength or effectiveness.

lower

Simple and direct, indicating a reduction in level or status.

abase

Implies a lowering of oneself or another in dignity or status.

humiliate

Focuses on causing someone to feel ashamed and foolish.

impair

Suggests a weakening or damaging effect.

corrupt

Indicates a moral decline or decay.

cheapen

Implies a reduction in value or worth, often in a figurative sense.

FAQs

How can I use "degrade" in a sentence?

You can use "degrade" to describe a reduction in quality, value, or status. For example, "The constant exposure to sunlight can "degrade" the paint on the car."

What are some alternatives to "degrade"?

Alternatives to "degrade" include "deteriorate", "diminish", or "weaken", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "the quality degraded" or "the quality was degraded"?

Both are correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "The quality degraded" implies that the quality declined on its own, while "the quality was degraded" suggests an external force caused the decline.

What is the difference between "degrade" and "demean"?

"Degrade" generally refers to a reduction in quality or status, while "demean" specifically means to lower someone's dignity or reputation. Demeaning actions can "degrade" a person's self-worth.