degrade

/dɪˈɡɹeɪd/verb
Middle School
1

To lower in value or social position.

2

To reduce in quality or purity.

3

To reduce in altitude or magnitude, as hills and mountains; to wear down.

Sound Patterns & Rhymes

Rhymes

Words that share the same ending sound pattern

Alliteration

Words starting with the same consonant sound — used in poetry and prose to create rhythm, emphasis, and memorable phrasing (e.g. “Peter Piper picked”)

Assonance

Words sharing similar vowel sounds regardless of starting letter — creates internal melody in writing

Consonance

Words sharing similar consonant sound patterns — adds texture and cohesion to writing