| / English Dictionary |
DEGRADING
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (adjective)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Used of conduct; characterized by dishonor
Synonyms:
debasing; degrading
Classified under:
Similar:
dishonorable; dishonourable (lacking honor or integrity; deserving dishonor)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Harmful to the mind or morals
Example:
the vicious and degrading cult of violence
Synonyms:
corrupting; degrading
Classified under:
Similar:
noxious (injurious to physical or mental health)
II. (verb)
Sense 1
-ing form of the verb degrade
Context examples:
The researchers are already working on the next phase of their research, analyzing the microbial community responsible for degrading carbon in a salt marsh ecosystem, especially when exposed to high concentrations of nitrate.
(Salt marshes' capacity to store carbon may be threatened by nitrogen pollution, National Science Foundation)
B. cenocepacia is naturally found in soil, water and vegetation and is capable of degrading industrial waste, herbicides, and vegetation as well as producing many antibacterial and antifungal agents.
(Burkholderia cenocepacia, NCI Thesaurus)
C. cocleatum is a component of the intestinal microflora but may provide a mechanism by which other bacteria can colonize and infect, through its mucin degrading properties.
(Clostridium cocleatum, NCI Thesaurus)
Then she left the revolt of her thought unexpressed to cry out: "Oh! It is degrading! It is not nice! It is nasty!"
(Martin Eden, by Jack London)
He thought it a very degrading alliance; and Lady Russell, though with more tempered and pardonable pride, received it as a most unfortunate one.
(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)
Yes, novels; for I will not adopt that ungenerous and impolitic custom so common with novel-writers, of degrading by their contemptuous censure the very performances, to the number of which they are themselves adding—joining with their greatest enemies in bestowing the harshest epithets on such works, and scarcely ever permitting them to be read by their own heroine, who, if she accidentally take up a novel, is sure to turn over its insipid pages with disgust.
(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)
Inhibition of NEP leads to the inhibition of hydrolyzation of a number of endogenous vasoactive peptides, such as bradykinin and substance P and as NEP is the principal enzyme degrading natriuretic peptides, NEP inhibition also results in an increase in natriuretic peptidase circulation.
(Omapatrilat, NCI Thesaurus)
Yet, so far have you been from answering my expectation in any of your letters; that on the contrary you are loading our carrier every week with libels, and keys, and reflections, and memoirs, and second parts; wherein I see myself accused of reflecting upon great state folk; of degrading human nature (for so they have still the confidence to style it), and of abusing the female sex.
(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)
We have many most respectable and worthy young women who do the same and are employed by the nobility, because, being the daughters of gentlemen, they are both well bred and accomplished, you know, said Miss Kate in a patronizing tone that hurt Meg's pride, and made her work seem not only more distasteful, but degrading.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
That Miss Crawford should endeavour to secure a meeting between him and Mrs. Rushworth, was all in her worst line of conduct, and grossly unkind and ill-judged; but she hoped he would not be actuated by any such degrading curiosity.
(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)
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