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degrade — to treat or regard someone or something with less respect or value

Part of speech: VERB

Definition: to treat or regard someone or something with less respect or value

Pronunciation (IPA): /dɪˈɡreɪd/

Example Sentences

  • My computer's performance degrades every time I install a new game.
  • The politician's reputation was degraded by the scandal.
  • Don't degrade your friend's cooking skills just because they burned the toast again.

degrade

VERB

[/dɪˈɡreɪd/]

to treat or regard someone or something with less respect or value

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/dɪˈɡreɪd/
🇬🇧 UK/dɪˈɡreɪd/

🌳Etymology

Prefixde--
Rootgrad

Origin

From Latin degradare, composed of de- (down, away) and gradus (step, rank). The word entered English through Old French and originally referred to reducing someone in rank or status.

Breakdown

de- (down, away from) + grade (rank, step, from Latin gradus) = degrade (to reduce in rank or lower in value)

🎵Rhyme

upgrade
parade
cascade
persuade

🔗Collocations

degrade the environment
degrade someone's dignity
slowly degrade
degrade performance
degrade over time
morally degrade

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“My computer's performance degrades every time I install a new game.”

“The politician's reputation was degraded by the scandal.”

😄 Fun example

“Don't degrade your friend's cooking skills just because they burned the toast again.”

“UV radiation can degrade certain materials exposed to sunlight.”

📚Related Words

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