Degraded
/dɪˈɡreɪdɪd/
Definitions
2 meaningsTo reduce in quality, value, or status.
/dɪˈɡreɪd/
To lower in quality or value
The constant exposure to sunlight degraded the painting.
💡 Simply: Imagine your favorite toy. If it gets broken or worn out, it's getting *degraded*. It's not as good as it used to be!
👶 For kids: To make something worse or to make something not as good as it used to be.
More Examples
His disrespectful behavior degraded the situation.
The company's reputation was degraded by the scandal.
How It's Used
"The pollution degraded the quality of the water."
"The older computers are likely to degrade in performance over time."
"Constant criticism will degrade any kind of relation ship"
To treat someone or something with contempt or disrespect.
/dɪˈɡreɪd/
To treat someone with contempt or disrespect
The prisoner was degraded by the guards' cruel treatment.
💡 Simply: Imagine you are being picked on. If someone is mean and makes you feel bad, they are *degrading* you by treating you without respect.
👶 For kids: To be mean or rude to someone and make them feel bad about themselves.
More Examples
He felt degraded by having to beg for food.
The company's policies degraded the employees' morale.
How It's Used
"The protesters felt the government's actions degraded their rights."
"Torture is a practice that degrades human dignity."
From Middle French degrader, from Old French degrader ('to lower in rank or quality'), from de- ('down') + grader ('to step, to go').
The word 'degraded' has been used since the 16th century, initially to describe a lowering in rank or status, and later expanded to include a decline in quality or condition.
Memory tip
Think of something that's losing its grade—it's being degraded.