Degrade – 1. treat or regard (someone) with contempt or disrespect 2. break down or deteriorate chemically

(Pronounced duh-greyd)

To remember the definition of the word degrade, use the following mnemonic:

The grade (degrade) the teacher gave me displayed contempt and disrespect, so I used chemicals to deteriorate his desk.

Examples of degrade in a sentence (treat or regard someone with contempt or disrespect)

Bullies will often degrade their victims by making fun of them in front of others.

Don't degrade yourself by answering his petty questions.

Being dishonest like that will only degrade you.

Examples of degrade in a sentence (break down or deteriorate chemically)

Plastic bags can take hundreds of years to degrade.

Some chemicals will quickly degrade into harmless compounds.

This substance can degrade rapidly in the ground.