Degrade (verb)

1. Reduce the quality, value, or status of something.
2. Reduce (someone) to a lower state, condition, or rank.
3. Reduce the strength or effectiveness of something.

Origin:

Late 16th century: from french dégrader, from de- (expressing reversal) + grader "to step".

Examples:

1. The company's reputation was degraded by the scandal.
2. The criminal was degraded by his actions.
3. The harsh prison conditions degraded the inmates.
4. The bacteria degraded the organic matter in the soil.
5. The drug degraded over time and lost its potency.