different between unworthy vs degraded

English

Etymology

From Middle English unworthy, equivalent to un- +? worthy.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?n?w?ði/

  Rhymes: -??(r)ði

Adjective

unworthy (comparative unworthier, superlative unworthiest)

1. Not worthy; lacking value or merit; worthless.
   • 1596-97, William Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice, Act II, Scene i^[1]:

     […] But alas the while!

     If Hercules and Lichas play at dice

     Which is the better man, the greater throw

     May turn by the fortune from the weaker hand:

     So is Alcides beaten by his page;

     And so may I, blind Fortune leading me,

     Miss that which one unworthier may attain,

     And die with grieving.

   Antonym: worthy

Derived terms

• unworthily
• unworthiness

Related terms

• worth
• unworth

Translations

Noun

unworthy (plural unworthies)

1. An inadequate person.

English

Etymology

See degrade and compare French degré (“step”).

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /d????e?d?d/

Adjective

degraded (comparative more degraded, superlative most degraded)

1. Feeling or having undergone degradation; deprived of dignity or self-respect.

   • The Netherlands […] were reduced, practically, to a very degraded condition.

2. (biology) Having the typical characters or organs in a partially developed condition, or lacking certain parts.
   • 1852, James Dwight Dana, Crustacaea

     The Grapsoid species are represented of a degraded form in Porcellana

3. (heraldry, not comparable) Having steps; said of a cross whose extremities end in steps growing larger as they leave the centre; on degrees.

Synonyms

• (deprived of dignity): humiliated

Translations

Verb

degraded

1. simple past tense and past participle of degrade