DOWNGRADE Synonyms: 191 Similar and Opposite Words

downgrade 1 of 3

noun

ˈdau̇n-ˌgrād

Definition of downgrade

as in deterioration

a change to a lower state or level a singing career on the downgrade

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in downhill

a downward slope the gentle downgrade of the parking area is designed for drainage

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

downgrade

2 of 3

verb

as in to demote

to bring to a lower grade or rank increased automation resulted in many jobs in the factory being downgraded

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to reduce

to diminish the price or value of the company's filing for Chapter 11 downgraded the stock to the point where it was selling for pennies a share

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

downgrade

3 of 3

adverb

as in downward

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of downgrade

Noun

Pluss and several other speakers also discussed downgrades to certain hospital supplies, like tape and IVs. — Katy Golvala, Hartford Courant, 25 Aug. 2026 The last thing this administration should be doing at a time when Chicago’s credit rating is hanging by a thread is give analysts more fodder for future downgrades to add to the four Johnson already has amassed on his three-year watch. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2026

Verb

After moving away from the islands, Lala was downgraded and remained a strong tropical storm on Sunday far out in the Central Pacific. — ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026 Twenty-two wide moats were downgraded, twenty to narrow and two to none, concentrated in enterprise software, IT services and payroll, hitting names like Workday, Adobe, Salesforce and ADP. — Jemma Green, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for downgrade

Recent Examples of Synonyms for downgrade

Noun

The City is aware of deterioration to the pavers surrounding the memorial related to the seawall conditions in this section of the Riverwalk.

— Bri Buckley, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026
The deterioration in DeepMind’s talent flows coincided with the lab tightening its publication rules, Hurd said, something that Zeki researchers say may have weakened one of the lab’s most important draws for research-minded staff.

— Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of deterioration

Noun

Allen is a solid downhill, change-of-pace runner who can be used in short-yardage situations.

— Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 31 Aug. 2026
The Picklejus aims for the complete package in mountain running, tackling not just distances greater than 100 miles but also the dramatic uphills and downhills that may come along the way.

— Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of downhill

Verb

An officer with the Porter County Sheriff’s Department who misused the county’s license plate reader system has been demoted, suspended without pay and faced other disciplinary measures, according to a release from Sheriff Jeffery Balon.

— Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
But Miami shouldn’t hesitate to find and claim better receivers off the waiver wire, and possibly demote him to the practice squad.

— Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of demote

Verb

Its movements and squeaks change in response to the person interacting with it, giving caregivers another way to reduce distress and encourage engagement.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
For instance, a creditor might bid $35,000 for a $50,000 SUV, reducing the judgment by that amount, then sell it for $50,000, pocketing $15,000.

— Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of reduce

Adverb

The matching fabric shade is designed to diffuse some of the light and direct it downward for a softer, more ambient effect.

— Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 2 Sep. 2026
Symptoms can include a high fever, cough, runny nose, red/watery eyes, white spots inside the mouth and a rash that begins on the face at the hairline and moves downward on the body.

— Finch Walker, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of downward

Noun

Larger coupon payments now provide a cushion against further price declines, unlike the low-yield environment earlier this decade.

— Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
Later, Hammer filmed her body’s visible decline from a long battle with cancer, concluding with her death in 2019 at age 79.

— Rachel Handler, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of decline

Browse Nearby Words

downfalls

downgrade

downgraded

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Style

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

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Synonyms of downgrade

noun

verb

adverb

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