To what does the term 'degrade' refer?

The term 'degrade' refers to the act of lowering in dignity, quality, or value. This aligns with the concept of debasement, where something is diminished or made worse, whether it's in status, character, or quality. In various contexts, degrading can involve disrespecting someone or something, resulting in a loss of respect or standing. Therefore, the choice that closely captures the meaning of 'degrade' is debase, which encompasses the essence of diminishing worth or value. Other terms like honor, elevate, and celebrate suggest positive actions or improvements, which are contrary to the meaning of degrading.