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downgrade

|down/grade|

B2

/ˈdaʊnˌɡreɪd/

lower in rank or status

Etymology
Etymology Information

'downgrade' originates from the combination of 'down' and 'grade', where 'down' meant 'lower' and 'grade' referred to 'a level or step'.

Historical Evolution

'downgrade' was formed in modern English by combining 'down' and 'grade'.

Meaning Changes

Initially, it meant 'to move to a lower level', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.

Meanings by Part of Speech

Noun 1

a reduction in status, rank, or level.

The company faced a downgrade in its credit rating.

Synonyms

demotionreduction

Antonyms

upgradepromotion

Verb 1

to reduce to a lower grade, rank, or level.

The software was downgraded to an older version.

Synonyms

demotereduce

Antonyms

upgradepromote

Examples

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Idioms

on the downgrade

Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:41