C1verbenvironmentscience
US/dɪˈɡreɪd/
UK/dɪˈɡreɪd/
to make something worse in quality or condition; to break down slowly into simpler parts
In context
Plastic bags can take hundreds of years to degrade.
Overgrazing has degraded large areas of grassland in Mongolia.
Battery performance degrades after hundreds of charging cycles.
Words that go with degrade
adjective + noun
- degraded landThe project replants trees on degraded land.
- degraded forestElephants now live in small patches of degraded forest.
adverb + verb
- severely degradedMany coral reefs in the region are severely degraded.
verb + noun
- degrade the environmentIllegal mining has degraded the environment around the village.
verb + adverb
- degrade quicklyThis new plastic degrades quickly in seawater.