'Degrade' definitions:

Definition of 'degrade'

(from WordNet)
verb
Reduce the level of land, as by erosion [ant: aggrade]
verb
Reduce in worth or character, usually verbally; "She tends to put down younger women colleagues"; "His critics took him down after the lecture" [syn: take down, degrade, disgrace, demean, put down]
verb
Lower the grade of something; reduce its worth [syn: degrade, cheapen]

Definition of 'Degrade'

From: GCIDE
  • Degrade \De*grade"\, v. i. (Biol.) To degenerate; to pass from a higher to a lower type of structure; as, a family of plants or animals degrades through this or that genus or group of genera. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Degrade'

From: GCIDE
  • Degrade \De*grade"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Degraded; p. pr. & vb. n. Degrading.] [F. d['e]grader, LL. degradare, fr. L. de- + gradus step, degree. See Grade, and cf. Degree.]
  • 1. To reduce from a higher to a lower rank or degree; to lower in rank; to deprive of office or dignity; to strip of honors; as, to degrade a nobleman, or a general officer. [1913 Webster]
  • Prynne was sentenced by the Star Chamber Court to be degraded from the bar. --Palfrey. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. To reduce in estimation, character, or reputation; to lessen the value of; to lower the physical, moral, or intellectual character of; to debase; to bring shame or contempt upon; to disgrace; as, vice degrades a man. [1913 Webster]
  • O miserable mankind, to what fall Degraded, to what wretched state reserved! --Milton. [1913 Webster]
  • Yet time ennobles or degrades each line. --Pope. [1913 Webster]
  • Her pride . . . struggled hard against this degrading passion. --Macaulay. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. (Geol.) To reduce in altitude or magnitude, as hills and mountains; to wear down.
  • Syn: To abase; demean; lower; reduce. See Abase. [1913 Webster]

Synonyms of 'degrade'

From: Moby Thesaurus

Words containing 'Degrade'