easy
Too much rain can degrade the trail.
What does Degrade mean?
Degrade means make worse or lower in quality.
Dictionary definition
To make something worse, weaker, lower in quality, or less respected.
Example sentences
Degrade in a sentence
medium
The old file began to degrade after years of storage.
hard
Pollution can degrade natural habitats and make them harder for animals to live in.
Writing practice
Ready to write your own? Study the examples, then practice degrade in a sentence with Sentence Builder checklist feedback.
Quick practice
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Practice the meaning of Degrade
Answer three quick questions about its meaning and related words.
Question 1 of 3
Practice 1
What does degrade mean?
Degrade means to make something worse, weaker, or lower in quality.
Practice 2
Which sentence uses degrade correctly?
This sentence uses degrade to mean make worse or damage over time.
Practice 3
Which word is an antonym of degrade?
Improve means make better, which is the opposite of degrade.
Practice complete
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Pronunciation coach
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Degrade
Voice settings
Sounds like
dih · grayd · strongest beat: grayd
Tap each sound part, then blend the whole word together.
Learn
WordDegrade.
Partverb.
MeaningDegrade means make worse or lower in quality.
ExampleExample: Too much rain can degrade the trail.
Word breakdown
2 syllables. Say each part, then blend the word.
- Syllables
- dih · grayd
- Strongest beat
- grayd
- Ending
- grayd
- Tip
- Put a little extra energy on grayd.
Your turn
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Synonyms
Words like Degrade
Antonyms
Opposite words
improveUse when something becomes better.
strengthenUse when something becomes stronger.
Synonym practice
Want to practice degrade synonyms in context? Try a Synonym Search question like "Leaving the poster in rain could degrade the paper," then compare close word choices. Practice degrade synonyms.
Word family
Degrade word family
Base word
degrade
verb
degrade
To make worse or lower in quality.
adjective
degraded
Made worse or lowered in quality.
noun
degradation
The process of becoming worse or lower in quality.
Related words
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Student support
Understand Degrade
Hint for students
Degrade means make worse or lower in quality.
Common mix-up
Degrade is not the same as improve. Degrade means degrade means make worse or lower in quality.
Try it in class or at home
Read this model sentence: The old file began to degrade after years of storage. Clue words: old, file, began. Underline clue words that show why degrade fits instead of improve. Now write one new sentence that shows degrade without using the word degrade. Ask: Does my sentence clearly show degrade?
Teacher prompt
Ask students to explain this model sentence: "The old file began to degrade after years of storage." Why does degrade fit better than improve?
Learning activities
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