downgrade

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down|grade /d'aʊngr'eid/ (downgrades downgrading downgraded)
1 [VERB] usu passive, be V-ed
If something is downgraded, it is given less importance than it used to have or than you think it should have.
The boy's condition has been downgraded from critical to serious...
≠ upgrade
2 [VERB] be V-ed, V n
If someone is downgraded, their job or status is changed so that they become less important or receive less money.
There was no criticism of her work until after she was downgraded...
His superiors suspended him, and then downgraded him.
= demote
≠ upgrade

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