downgrade

To give something a lower rank, rating, or level.

• The agency downgraded the bank.
• They downgraded his ticket to economy class.
• The alert was downgraded after the storm weakened.

How to use it: downgrade something from A to B (The agency downgraded the rating from A to B.); downgrade something to something (Officials downgraded the storm to a tropical depression.)

Similar words: lower, demote

Opposites: upgrade, promote

Common phrases: downgrade a rating, downgrade something to something, downgrade a threat

A change to a lower rating because something is judged less good or less reliable.

• The bank suffered a credit downgrade.
• Investors sold their shares after the downgrade.
• Another rating downgrade could make borrowing more expensive.

How to use it: downgrade of something (The downgrade of the bonds worried investors.)

Similar words: rating reduction

Opposites: upgrade

Common phrases: credit downgrade, rating downgrade, downgrade of something

A change that makes something worse or gives it fewer useful features.

• This room is a downgrade.
• The cheaper screen was a noticeable downgrade in quality.
• The software downgrade removed several useful features.

How to use it: downgrade in something (The new seats represent a downgrade in comfort.)

Similar words: reduction, deterioration

Opposites: upgrade, improvement

Common phrases: a major downgrade, downgrade in quality, software downgrade