1. relating to or causing degradation; tending to reduce in rank, status, or quality
Usage: formal; often used in technical or scientific contexts
2. of or relating to the breakdown or decomposition of a substance, especially in chemistry or biology
Usage: technical; scientific

Examples

• The degradative comments made her feel ashamed and disrespected.
• Exposure to sunlight has a degradative effect on plastic materials.
• The enzyme plays a degradative role in breaking down proteins.
• Such degradative treatment of prisoners violates human rights standards.
• Bacteria use degradative pathways to metabolize complex organic compounds.
• The scandal had a degradative impact on his professional reputation.