Downgrading

/ˈdaʊnˌɡreɪdɪŋ/ noun

Definition

The process or act of reducing someone or something in rank, quality, status, or assigned rating.

Etymology

Present participle of 'downgrade,' widely used in business, finance, and technology since the mid-20th century to describe the process of reducing value or status.

Kelly Says

The genius of business jargon is how it makes harsh decisions sound neutral—'downgrading' someone from manager to associate sounds clinical, but it's really a demotion that affects someone's career and paycheck. Language shapes how we perceive difficult truths.

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