1
as in reducing
to bring to a lower grade or rank
increased automation resulted in many jobs in the factory being downgraded
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in lowering
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
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 downgrading
Those trends might suggest drivers are downgrading to bare-minimum liability insurance.
—
Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
The administration has withheld routine forms of assistance from Taiwan—including by downgrading a defense dialogue with the island, denying Taiwanese President William Lai the ability to briefly visit the United States while traveling elsewhere, and blocking a major arms sales package.
—Mira Rapp-Hooper, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2025
Still, any Emirati response would likely stop at downgrading diplomatic ties rather than severing them, Reuters reported, citing people familiar with the matter.
—Yossi Shelley, semafor.com, 13 Oct. 2025
Along with downgrading Coker’s status, the Panthers also elevated offensive tackle Brandon Walton and cornerback Keion Crossen from the practice squad.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 11 Oct. 2025
The scores reflected the judges' differing opinions, with Hough downgrading from his eight of last week to a score of seven and Inaba nudging up to an eight.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Oct. 2025
One of the biggest reasons why users may consider downgrading to iOS 18 is the new Liquid Glass design.
—PC Magazine, 23 Sep. 2025
Debating downgrading before the new eye-watering $795 annual fee.
—R29 Team, Refinery29, 19 Sep. 2025
With ratings agencies such as Fitch downgrading ASDA’s debt profile, the scale of rollbacks may lessen by Christmas if sales don’t improve, as the firm may not want to risk further rating downgrades or liquidity strains.
—John Choong, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downgrading
Verb
-
Once stationary, deactivate all lights except the hazard flashers, engage the emergency brake, and release the brake pedal to ensure your tail lights are not illuminated, reducing the risk of other drivers colliding with your stationary vehicle.—
-
Permeable pavers allow rainwater to soak into the ground, reducing flood risk, while offering an upscale look.—
Verb
-
That dissatisfaction persists despite constitutional amendments approved by lawmakers and voters aimed at lowering school property taxes.—
-
Anyone with diabetes or taking glucose-lowering medications should consult a healthcare provider before adding magnesium, berberine, or both to their management plan.—
Verb
-
But demoting Kelly requires an administrative process known as officer grade determination, which by law makes its decisions based on an officer's conduct while on active duty.—
-
Highways, viaducts, giant interchanges, and a major Metro junction viciously mutilated São Paulo’s downtown in the 1960s and ’70s, demoting it from a popular residential area to a commercial transfer hub, overcrowded and polluted by day but forlorn by night.—
Cite this Entry
“Downgrading.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downgrading. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share