1. to remove from a particular social class or reduce in social status
Usage: formal
2. to remove the security classification from (a document or information)
Usage: government; military

Examples

• The economic crisis declasses many middle-class families.
• Social mobility can work both ways – it classes some people up and declasses others.
• The government declasses certain documents after twenty-five years.
• The agency declasses intelligence reports once they are no longer sensitive.
• Military officials decide which materials to declass based on national security concerns.
• The revolution declassed the former aristocracy overnight.