degraded

USAGE SUMMARY

'degraded' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to describe something that has been made worse in quality or value, often as a result of neglect or mistreatment. For example: "When the factory closed down, the area became degraded and run-down."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Basic service, without fees, must be sufficiently degraded in order to make people want to pay to escape it.

The Economist

But it's just not good for our country's political culture, which looks ever more degraded.

The Economist

"Without the full protection of the Clean Water Act, critical wetland habitats across the country will be degraded or destroyed, undermining the recovery of dozens of endangered species," Hartl wrote in a statement.

The Guardian

But "she took an honourable icon that is seen in sporting venues everywhere and degraded it".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

More likely, it reveals a depth of frustration about what was being achieved, and the extent to which her own reputation, not to mention her view of herself, risked being degraded by remaining inside the tent to negligible effect.

The Guardian

"There is substantial evidence to indicate that the already degraded coral reefs and seagrasses in the region will be exposed to not only six to seven years of degraded water quality due to the dredging and disposal but also to additional environmental impacts from increasing sea temperatures, cyclones, floodwaters during this time," the executive summary says.

The Guardian

Perhaps people who care for literature and art for their own sakes will regret that they should be degraded by connection with the strife of parties.

The Guardian

The government has argued a world heritage boundary extension last year include areas of logged, degraded forest that is being unnecessarily "locked up" from the timber industry.

The Guardian

There is great beauty and dignity in them – two individuals who have been given some form of identity back, in contrast to Kamerić's missing persons whose body parts are still scattered, degraded, in unidentified graves.

The Guardian - Arts

As wheezy mornings steadily degraded my attendance, I remained oblivious of the link to my undesired inconsistency.

The Guardian

I can't sign myself off sick or as having a degraded performance because morgellons is not a diagnosis.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the state of something that has declined in quality, use "degraded" to convey a sense of deterioration or impairment. For example, "The soil has become degraded due to overuse."

Common error

Avoid using "degraded" when "degenerated" is more appropriate. "Degraded" typically refers to a loss of quality or condition, while "degenerated" implies a decline in moral or physical state.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "degraded" is as an adjective, often used to describe a noun that has undergone a decline in quality, value, or condition. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its descriptive use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "degraded" functions primarily as an adjective indicating a decline in quality, condition, or status. Ludwig AI confirms that "degraded" is a correct and usable word in written English. As evidenced by Ludwig's numerous examples, its usage spans various contexts, including news, business, and science, suggesting a neutral register. When employing "degraded", ensure that it accurately reflects a state of decline, rather than a change in moral character or physical state, for which "degenerated" might be more appropriate. Consider alternatives like "deteriorated", "impaired", or "compromised" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deteriorated

Focuses on the process of becoming worse over time.

impaired

Emphasizes the reduction in functionality or ability.

corrupted

Suggests a loss of integrity or purity.

diminished

Highlights the reduction in size, extent, or importance.

compromised

Indicates a weakening or vulnerability.

debased

Implies a lowering in moral character or quality.

undermined

Focuses on weakening the foundation or effectiveness of something.

weakened

Highlights a reduction in strength or power.

eroded

Emphasizes the gradual destruction or wearing away.

spoiled

Suggests a loss of freshness or usefulness.

FAQs

How can I use "degraded" in a sentence?

You can use "degraded" to describe a decline in quality, condition, or status. For example, "The signal strength was "degraded" due to interference."

What's the difference between "degraded" and "deteriorated"?

"Degraded" and "deteriorated" are similar, but "degraded" often implies a deliberate or external cause of decline, while "deteriorated" suggests a natural or gradual decline. You could consider alternatives such as "impaired", "corrupted", or "diminished" depending on the context.

Which is the correct one: "degraded conditions" or "deteriorated conditions"?

Both "degraded conditions" and "deteriorated conditions" can be correct, depending on the intended meaning. "Degraded conditions" often implies that the conditions have been made worse by an external factor, while "deteriorated conditions" suggests a natural decline. The best choice will always depend on context of the sentence.

What can I say instead of "degraded"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "deteriorated", ""impaired"", or "compromised".