degrade
degrade
Definition
de·grade (dē grād′, di-)
transitive verb degraded -·grad′ed, degrading -·grad′·ing
- to lower in rank or status, as in punishing; demote
- to lower or corrupt in quality, moral character, or value; debase
- to bring into dishonor or contempt
- Chem. to convert (an organic compound) into a simpler compound by removal of one or more parts of the molecule; decompose
- Geol. to lower (a land surface) by erosion
Etymology: ME degraden < OFr degrader < LL degradare, to reduce in rank < L de-, down + gradus: see de- & grade
intransitive verb
- Rare to sink to a lower grade or type
- to be converted into a simpler compound or compounds; decompose
degrade
Synonyms
degrade
v.
To humble
To corrupt
debase, deprave, degenerate, deteriorate; see corrupt 1. See syn. study at humble.
degrade
Usage Examples
Object
- contaminant: Environmental bionanotechnology - for example the use of nanoscale instruments to degrade industrial contaminants in soil.
- pollutant: Bioremediation - The ability of soil microorganisms to degrade organic pollutants may be enhanced in a bioremediation system.
- DNA: C ) or steam under pressure were required to degrade the DNA completely.
Preposition: as
- result: Darkening or other discoloration can result, and the coating may degrade as a result of the radiation.
Preposition: over
- time: A shift in this balance will cause the reef system either to grow or degrade over time.
Noun phrase with adjective complement
- such: By communicating with each other they can speed up the way they degrade foods such as vegetables.
Adjective complement
- due: It is a known fact that around the Equatorial band during daylight the GPS signals can degrade due to the effect of the sun.
Modifying Another Word
- gracefully: They don't degrade gracefully in older browsers due to careless use of HTML.
- significantly: A small hole in a wall or floor can significantly degrade the performance.
Used with why or when
- when: The polygons have been rounded nicely and the resolution doesn't seem to degrade when you get close to the car.
Preposition: in
- browser: They don't degrade gracefully in older browsers due to careless use of HTML.
- environment: It degrades rapidly in room temperature environment and will not last more than a couple of days or less like this.
Browse dictionary entries near degrade
- degradation
- degradable
- degradability
- deglutition
- deglutination
- deglutinating
- deglutinated
- deglutinate
- deglazing
- deglazed
- degraded
- degrader
- degrading
- degradingly
- degrease
- degreased
- degreaser
- degreasing
- degree
- degree-day
