DOWNGRADING Synonyms: 77 Similar and Opposite Words

downgrading

verb

present participle of downgrade

as in reducing

to bring to a lower grade or rank increased automation resulted in many jobs in the factory being downgraded

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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

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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 The pocket-size converter and amplifier snaps onto the back of your device via MagSafe magnet, upgrading the audio quality coming out of connected headphones or speakers without downgrading user experience. — Eliza Thompson, Time, 15 Oct. 2026 Wall Street has soured on Nike, with five analysts downgrading the stock since the beginning of August. — Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2026 On Monday, shortly after authorities began downgrading some mandatory evacuation orders to warnings around Somersett, Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam said people were already venturing too far into dangerous wildlands. — Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026 The return across the Atlantic also follows Netflix downgrading its overall deal with the pair that birthed Harry & Meghan, Polo and With Love, Meghan, among other projects, to a first-look deal. — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 19 Aug. 2026 These tiny laundry room ideas prove that downsizing doesn’t have to mean downgrading your routine. — Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 14 Aug. 2026 The bundle exists to make quitting feel like downgrading a lifestyle, which is a lesson learned from airlines and Amazon Prime, applied for the first time to a checking account. — Zennon Kapron, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026 Trapped by high interest rates and the cumulative weight of inflation, the bottom 80 percent of earners are aggressively pulling back on discretionary goods, exhausting credit options and downgrading to private-label and discount brands. — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 10 June 2026 Biden ultimately dictated the voting order to members, ousting Iowa, downgrading New Hampshire, promoting Nevada and adding Michigan and Georgia to the first bunch. — Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 29 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for downgrading

Verb

Climate policies are reducing emissions Since the adoption of the Paris Agreement just over a decade ago, global renewable electricity capacity has grown three times faster than anticipated, while solar PV build-out has increased seven times faster.

— Simmone Shah, Time, 21 Oct. 2026
The filter also makes the page look like a poster left too long in the sun, washing it out and reducing contrast compared to monochrome e-readers.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of reducing

Verb

Throughout the race, the pastor has emphasized lowering the cost of goods and sought to cast Marshall as closely aligned with an unpopular president.

— Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 27 Oct. 2026
At a time when public debt as a share of GDP has risen to its highest level since the pandemic, Lula cited his achievements in lowering poverty rates, as well as reducing unemployment, illiteracy, and deforestation to record lows.

— Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of lowering

Verb

Perhaps as quick as demoting a first-time OC after four games?

— Troy Renck, Denver Post, 8 Oct. 2026
If the roster had remained unchanged before Judge’s return, the Yankees would have faced the possibility of demoting Jones or cutting a veteran such as Amed Rosario to make space.

— Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of demoting

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downgrades

downgrading

downhearted

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“Downgrading.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downgrading. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of downgrading

verb

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