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
Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 18 June 2024
Domínguez would be an offensive upgrade (and defensive downgrade) over backup outfielder Trent Grisham, but sticking the farmhand on the bench or in a limited role could hurt his development.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 4 June 2024
John Stossel, Orange County Register, 19 June 2024
But if poor water quality persisted, the triathlon would have to be downgraded to a duathlon with no swimming, the organization confirmed.
—Billy Stockwell, CNN, 18 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for downgrade 
Noun
The offices of Lamont and Gillett did not respond to requests Tuesday to discuss the Moody’s downgrade.
—Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 18 June 2024
Domínguez would be an offensive upgrade (and defensive downgrade) over backup outfielder Trent Grisham, but sticking the farmhand on the bench or in a limited role could hurt his development.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 4 June 2024
Verb
In 2023, the ratings agency Fitch was criticized for downgrading U.S. government debt.
—John Stossel, Orange County Register, 19 June 2024
But if poor water quality persisted, the triathlon would have to be downgraded to a duathlon with no swimming, the organization confirmed.
—Billy Stockwell, CNN, 18 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for downgrade
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'downgrade.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near downgrade
Cite this Entry
“Downgrade.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/downgrade. Accessed 2 Jul. 2024.
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
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