downgrade

1 of 2

noun

down·​grade ˈdau̇n-ˌgrād How to pronounce downgrade (audio)
Synonyms of downgradenext
1
: a downward grade (as of a road)
2
: a descent toward an inferior state
a career on the downgrade

downgrade

2 of 2

verb

downgraded; downgrading; downgrades

transitive verb

1
: to lower in quality, value, status, or extent
2
: minimize, depreciate

Synonyms of downgrade

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Noun

Verb

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Examples of downgrade in a Sentence

Noun a downgrade in the company's stock prices a singing career on the downgrade Verb The restaurant was downgraded from three to two stars. She didn't intend to downgrade the importance of her colleague's work.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The downgrades come after shares of Dick's plunged nearly 31% on Tuesday following its weaker-than-expected report for its fiscal second quarter. — Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026 Pluss and several other speakers also discussed downgrades to certain hospital supplies, like tape and IVs. — Katy Golvala, Hartford Courant, 25 Aug. 2026
Verb
Several Wall Street firms subsequently downgraded Insulet, including Wells Fargo, JP Morgan, Leerink and BTIG. — Harvey Stober, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026 An object called Eris, which is larger than Pluto, ultimately led astonomers to downgrade Pluto to a dwarf planet in 2006. — Tariq Malik, Space.com, 30 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for downgrade

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1847, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1892, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of downgrade was in 1847

Rhymes for downgrade

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Browse Nearby Words

downgone
downgrade
down-gyved
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Cite this Entry

“Downgrade.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/downgrade. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

downgrade

1 of 2 noun
down·​grade -ˌgrād How to pronounce downgrade (audio)
1
: a downward slope
2
: a lowering toward a worse condition
a neighborhood on the downgrade
downgrade adverb

downgrade

2 of 2 verb
: to lower in grade, rank, or standing
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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