degrade
Translation
to degrade, to humiliate, to break down
Examples
Pollution can degrade the water quality.
Pollution can degrade the water quality.
Don't degrade yourself by lying.
Don't degrade yourself by lying.
This plastic will degrade over time.
This plastic will degrade over time.
Grammar Patterns
to degrade ((sth.)) to make (sth.) worse in quality Pollution can degrade the water quality.
to degrade ((sb./oneself)) to treat (sb.) without respect Don't degrade yourself by lying.
to degrade to break down chemically This plastic will degrade over time.
Similar Words
Synonyms: lower, lessen, humiliate, demean; Antonyms: improve, enhance, praise
Etymology
From Latin 'degradare'. 'de-' (down) + 'gradus' (step, grade). Meaning 'to reduce from a rank or grade'.
Memory Tips
To take someone 'down a grade' is to degrade them. This applies to quality, status, or chemical structure.