degrade

/diˈgreɪd/

/dɪˈgreɪd/

Other forms: degraded; degrading; degrades

To degrade means to reduce the worth of something, as when smoke and pollution degrade the environment. The word can also mean to disrespect or insult: thoughtless comments can degrade a person.

If you whistle at a passing woman, you're being disrespectful — your behavior degrades women. Degrade is often used to mean to insult someone because of their gender or race. Degrade also means to break down. Old paper or photographs can degrade when left in the light — their material breaks down so that they crumble at a touch.

Definitions of degrade

1. verb

   reduce in worth or character, usually verbally
   synonyms: demean, disgrace, put down, take down

   types:

   reduce

   lower in grade or rank or force somebody into an undignified situation

   dehumanise, dehumanize

   deprive of human qualities

   type of:

   abase, chagrin, humble, humiliate, mortify

   cause to feel shame; hurt the pride of
2. verb

   lower the grade of something; reduce its worth
   synonyms: cheapen

   types:

   devaluate, devalue

   remove the value from; deprive of its value

   demonetise, demonetize

   deprive of value for payment

   type of:

   aggravate, exacerbate, exasperate, worsen

   make worse
3. verb

   reduce the level of land, as by erosion
   antonyms:

   aggrade

   build up to a level by depositing sediment
4. verb

   undergo decay or decomposition
   synonyms: decay

   types:

   decompose, molder, moulder, rot

   break down

   go bad, spoil

   become unfit for consumption or use

   fester, putrefy

   become putrid; decay with an offensive smell

   deliquesce

   melt away in the process of decay

   biodegrade

   break down naturally through the action of biological agents

   hang

   suspend (meat) in order to get a gamey taste

   addle

   become rotten

   curdle

   go bad or sour

   type of:

   change

   undergo a change; become different in essence; losing one's or its original nature
5. verb

   separate (substances) into constituent elements or parts
   synonyms: break down, break up, decompose

   types:

   digest

   soften or disintegrate by means of chemical action, heat, or moisture

   dissociate

   to undergo a reversible or temporary breakdown of a molecule into simpler molecules or atoms

   crack

   reduce (petroleum) to a simpler compound by cracking

   type of:

   separate

   divide into components or constituents