Definitions for degrade

• Definition
• Anagrams (120)

degrade de·grade

Spelling: [dih-greyd or for 3, dee-greyd]

IPA: /dɪˈgreɪd or for 3, diˈgreɪd/

Degrade is a 7 letter English word. It's valid Scrabble word worth 10 points. It's valid Words with friends word worth 11 points.

You can make 120 anagrams from letters in degrade (addeegr).

Definitions for degrade

verb (used with object)

1. to lower in dignity or estimation; bring into contempt:
2. to lower in character or quality; debase.
3. to reduce (someone) to a lower rank, degree, etc.; deprive of office, rank, status, or title, especially as a punishment:
4. to reduce in amount, strength, intensity, etc.
5. Physical Geography. to wear down by erosion, as hills. Compare aggrade.
6. Chemistry. to break down (a compound, especially an organic hydrocarbon).

verb (used without object)

1. to become degraded; weaken or worsen; deteriorate.
2. Chemistry. (especially of an organic hydrocarbon compound) to break down or decompose.

Origin of degrade

1275-1325; Middle English degraden Late Latin dēgradāre, equivalent to Latin dē- de- + grad(us) grade + -āre infinitive suffix

Examples for degrade

U.S. warplanes have already flown more than 100 sorties to degrade ISIS ground forces, and many more bombs are on the way.

Oh, how strange that you of the North see not how you degrade him when you keep him here!

Do you think that if I spat upon him, I could degrade him to a lower level than his own?

“Dioxin” is the dirtiest of dirty words and this designation, like the chemical itself, does not degrade.

Now Obama promises to “degrade and destroy” the self-declared Islamic State (or ISIL, or ISIS).

He might degrade Marcolina by mockery and lascivious phrases, full of innuendo.

Nothing could degrade them beyond the reach of their sympathies!

Kenneth recognizes the terrible truths of our existence: that gun violence will continue to devastate and degrade everyone.

Nor did he degrade his art by caricatures drawn in hotel bars.

The plan to degrade al Qaeda enough so that U.S. forces can leave is already lagging behind schedule.