🇩🇪German Source WordCode: DE

Herabsetzen

Pronunciation / Transliteration: hɛraːbˌzɛt͡sən

🇬🇧 Direct English Meaning:
Degrade/dɪˈɡreɪd/
verbCEFR B2 (Upper)Top #1500 frequency
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🇩🇪 Example Sentence in German:

"Die ständigen Kritiken begannen, ihr Selbstvertrauen herabzusetzen."

Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As verb
  1. 1

    To lower in dignity, honor, or quality.

    "The constant criticism began to degrade her confidence."
  2. 2

    To break down or deteriorate chemically or physically.

    "The plastic will degrade over time when exposed to sunlight."

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Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

The word 'degrade' originates from the Latin 'degradare', which means 'to lower in rank or status'. It evolved through Old French before entering Middle English, reflecting a shift in meaning from a literal lowering to a more abstract sense of diminishing quality or value.

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