C1adjectivesocietylaw
US/dɪˈɡreɪ.dɪŋ/
UK/dɪˈɡreɪ.dɪŋ/
treating people in a way that makes them lose their dignity and the respect of others
In context
International law bans torture and other cruel or degrading treatment of prisoners.
Workers described the body searches at the factory gate as degrading.
Many viewers found the reality show's challenges cruel and degrading.
Words that go with degrading
adjective + noun
- degrading treatmentThe court ruled that the prisoners had suffered degrading treatment.
- degrading imagesThe website was ordered to remove degrading images of women.
- degrading conditionsMigrant workers were kept in degrading conditions on the boats.
- degrading workNobody should be forced into dangerous or degrading work to survive.
adjective + preposition
- degrading toMany people find the advert degrading to women.