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to degrade
01
(of human activities or natural forces) to gradually break down rocks, mountains, hills, etc.
Transitive: to degrade a landform
Example
The constant freeze and thaw cycles degrade the rock faces.
Mining operations have severely degraded the terrain.
Construction activities can degrade natural landscapes.
02
to reduce the quality or effectiveness of something
Transitive: to degrade quality or performance of something
Example
Overexposure to sunlight can degrade the fabric of clothes.
The outdated technology has degraded the system 's performance.
The chemical spill degraded the soil 's fertility.
03
to treat someone disrespectfully or contemptuously
Transitive: to degrade sb
Example
It 's unacceptable to degrade others based on their race, gender, or socioeconomic status.
It 's important not to degrade others based on superficial factors such as appearance or background.
In a healthy relationship, partners should uplift and support each other rather than degrade or belittle one another.
04
to lower someone's rank or position in a hierarchy, often as a form of punishment
Transitive: to degrade a person or their rank
Example
The constant freeze and thaw cycles degrade the rock faces.
Mining operations have severely degraded the terrain.
Construction activities can degrade natural landscapes.
Erosion degrades the mountain’s surface over centuries.
The river has been degrading the valley’s edges for thousands of years.
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