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Glite Dictionary
to degrade gracefully

to degrade gracefully

1 7.0
To become worse slowly in a calm, controlled way without sudden failure
  • phrasal verb
: degradarse con dignidad
  • This software helps websites degrade gracefully on older browsers without losing functionality.

Examples

  • Although the need for standard privacy and data-sharing policies is as yet unmet, and the structure of such backpacks may not yet be fully conceived, the good news, once again, is that the technology degrades gracefully.

    Blog text (8)

  • The application is designed to degrade gracefully when the network connection is weak.

  • Does the fancy JavaScript/Ajax interface degrade gracefully?

    Blog text (17)

  • Although it may not support all the latest features, it will degrade gracefully for users with outdated systems.

Synonyms

to deteriorate
vsto degrade gracefully
130 5.9

To get worse in quality, condition, or value

does so in a controlled, dignified way without sudden failure
to erode
vsto degrade gracefully
75 4.2

Gradually make someone's trust, belief, or support weaker over time

happens in a steady, managed way instead of slow wearing away
to go downhill
vsto degrade gracefully
  • Informal
42 3.9

To become worse over time in quality or condition

involves a controlled, composed worsening rather than casual decline
to devolve
vsto degrade gracefully
27 7.4

To become worse and more chaotic

does so with control and dignity rather than mere decline
to degenerate
vsto degrade gracefully
25 6.3

To become worse and lose order or control

implies a managed, dignified decline rather than moral or severe decay
to rot away
vsto degrade gracefully
17 4.2

To slowly become weaker or fall apart because it is not cared for

occurs in a controlled, non-ignoble fashion rather than neglectful decay
to turn to shit
vsto degrade gracefully
  • Offensive
10 9.9

To go very badly and fail completely

means to decline in a calm, controlled, and dignified manner instead
to depreciate
vsto degrade gracefully
  • Specialized
9 5.9

To lose value over time, especially money or assets

refers to a managed loss in state rather than financial value change
to dilapidate
vsto degrade gracefully
1 8.4

To fall into ruin or cause something to fall into ruin because it is not cared for

describes a controlled, dignified deterioration, not ruin by neglect

Antonyms

to thrive
233 3.2

To grow well and be successful

to prosper
85 3.7

To become successful or grow well, often by making money

How Graceful

to maintain
1 3.4
to degrade gracefully
1 7.0
to go down
27 3.4
to crash
  • Specialized
45 3.2

Surface Forms

degrade gracefully infinitive
degraded gracefully past
degraded gracefully past participle
degrading gracefully present participle
degrades gracefully third person singular

Morphology

degrade + gracefully

The meaning is directly and compositionally derived from 'degrade' (to deteriorate or decline) modified by 'gracefully' (in an elegant or controlled manner), so a learner who knows both constituents can infer 'deteriorate in a controlled/dignified way.' This pattern (verb + adverb) is a standard, transparent compositional structure found across languages and contexts, so it should be understandable to a B1 learner.

Etymology

Degrade gracefully gives a simple image: think of something that degrades slowly and gracefully, like a lamp that slowly dims rather than suddenly going out. So it means 'to deteriorate in a controlled or dignified way'.