Degradate vs. Degrade: Decoding the Right Spelling
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
"Degradate is incorrect spelling while Degrade is correct; Degrade means to lower in dignity or quality."
Which is correct: Degradate or Degrade
How to spell Degrade?
Degradate is Incorrect
Degrade is Correct
How to remember correct spelling of Degrade?
Associate 'Degrade' with 'grade', as in lowering someone's grade or status.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 21, 2023
Recall that 'Degrade' has the same ending as 'lemonade', a common drink, to help remember the 'ade' part.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 21, 2023
Link 'Degrade' with 'fade', emphasizing the idea of diminishing or losing quality.
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Dec 21, 2023
Remember that 'Degrade' starts like 'degree' but ends with 'ade', signifying a decline or reduction.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 21, 2023
Think of 'Degrade' as 'downgrade', both signifying a reduction in quality or status.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 21, 2023
Degrade Definitions
"To lower in dignity, honor, or standing; to demean."
The unfair criticism served to degrade his reputation.
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Dec 13, 2023
"To diminish or impair in function, ability, or quality."
Continuous exposure to sunlight can degrade the material.
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Dec 13, 2023
"To reduce in quality or value; to cheapen."
Overuse of clichés can degrade the quality of writing.
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Dec 13, 2023
"To rank or classify in a lower order or less favorable position."
The company was degraded in the industry ranking due to poor performance.
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Dec 13, 2023
To lower in quality or value; make inferior or less valuable
Land that was degraded by overgrazing.
A virus that degrades the computer's performance.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
To lower in dignity; dishonor or disgrace
Seemed to feel that he was degrading himself in accepting the invitation.
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Oct 19, 2023
To reduce in grade, rank, or status; demote.
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Oct 19, 2023
(Geology) To lower or wear away by erosion or weathering.
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Oct 19, 2023
To cause (an organic compound) to undergo degradation.
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Oct 19, 2023
To fall to a lower rank or status.
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Oct 19, 2023
(transitive) To lower in value or social position.
Fred degrades himself by his behaviour.
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Oct 19, 2023
To reduce in altitude or magnitude, as hills and mountains; to wear down.
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Oct 19, 2023
To reduce from a higher to a lower rank or degree; to lower in rank; to deprive of office or dignity; to strip of honors; as, to degrade a nobleman, or a general officer.
Prynne was sentenced by the Star Chamber Court to be degraded from the bar.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
To reduce in estimation, character, or reputation; to lessen the value of; to lower the physical, moral, or intellectual character of; to debase; to bring shame or contempt upon; to disgrace; as, vice degrades a man.
O miserable mankind, to what fallDegraded, to what wretched state reserved!
Yet time ennobles or degrades each line.
Her pride . . . struggled hard against this degrading passion.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
To degenerate; to pass from a higher to a lower type of structure; as, a family of plants or animals degrades through this or that genus or group of genera.
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Oct 19, 2023
Reduce the level of land, as by erosion
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Oct 19, 2023
Reduce in worth or character, usually verbally;
She tends to put down younger women colleagues
His critics took him down after the lecture
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Oct 19, 2023
Lower the grade of something; reduce its worth
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Oct 19, 2023
"To break down or deteriorate chemically."
The enzyme helps to degrade the pollutants in the soil.
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Dec 13, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
What is the correct spelling: 'Degradate' or 'Degrade'?
The correct spelling is 'Degrade'.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 21, 2023
Is 'Degradate' a valid English word?
No, 'Degradate' is not a recognized English word. The correct term is 'Degrade'.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 21, 2023
What does 'Degrade' mean?
'Degrade' means to lower in status, quality, or character.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 21, 2023
Are there synonyms for 'Degrade'?
Synonyms include demote, denigrate, diminish, and deteriorate.
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Dec 21, 2023
Can 'Degrade' be used in an environmental context?
Yes, it's often used to describe the breakdown of materials in the environment.
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Dec 21, 2023
What is the opposite of 'Degrade'?
The opposite of 'Degrade' is 'elevate' or 'upgrade'.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 21, 2023
How can one easily remember the spelling of 'Degrade'?
Think of 'Degrade' as downgrading or reducing grade, which helps recall its spelling.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 21, 2023
What is the origin of 'Degrade'?
'Degrade' comes from the Old French 'degrader', based on Latin 'degradare'.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 21, 2023
Does 'Degrade' have different meanings in different contexts?
While its core meaning remains, 'Degrade' can apply to social status, material quality, or environmental processes.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 21, 2023
Does the meaning of 'Degrade' change in different tenses?
The meaning stays consistent, but the form changes according to tense (e.g., degrading, degraded).
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 21, 2023
How does 'Degrade' differ from 'Decompose'?
'Degrade' often implies a reduction in quality or status, while 'decompose' is more about breaking down into constituent parts, especially in a biological context.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 21, 2023
What is a 'degrading comment'?
A degrading comment is one that disrespects or diminishes the dignity of someone.
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Dec 21, 2023
How is 'Degrade' used in a sentence?
'Degrade' is used as a verb, as in 'UV rays can degrade certain materials'.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 21, 2023
Is 'Degrade' used in both American and British English?
Yes, 'Degrade' is used similarly in both dialects.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 21, 2023
What is 'biodegradation'?
Biodegradation is the process by which organic substances are broken down by living organisms.
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Dec 21, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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