down·grade
ˈdau̇n-ˌgrād 
1
: a downward grade (as of a road)
2
: a descent toward an inferior state
a career on the downgrade
downgraded; downgrading; downgrades
Synonyms
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
Hakyung Kim, CNBC, 10 Jan. 2025
With how long this has gone on, the model has certainly soured on many of the team’s players, leading to the massive downgrade in playoff chances.
—Dom Luszczyszyn, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025
Jeff Marks, CNBC, 8 Jan. 2025
The following year, after the local government failed to make its debt payments and its bonds were downgraded to junk status, Puerto Rico declared bankruptcy.
—Graciela Mochkofsky, The New Yorker, 8 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for downgrade 
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
On Semiconductor — Shares tumbled 7.5% on the heels of a Truist downgrade to hold from buy.
—Hakyung Kim, CNBC, 10 Jan. 2025
With how long this has gone on, the model has certainly soured on many of the team’s players, leading to the massive downgrade in playoff chances.
—Dom Luszczyszyn, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025
Verb
Wednesday is shaping to be another rough day after two more analysts downgraded the stock.
—Jeff Marks, CNBC, 8 Jan. 2025
The following year, after the local government failed to make its debt payments and its bonds were downgraded to junk status, Puerto Rico declared bankruptcy.
—Graciela Mochkofsky, The New Yorker, 8 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for downgrade
Dictionary Entries Near downgrade
Cite this Entry
“Downgrade.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/downgrade. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
downgrade
1 of 2 noun
down·grade
-ˌgrād
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share