Grad/Gres

The root Grad/Gres means

to treat something or someone poorly; or to make worse

to return to an earlier, worse condition

moving or changing in small amounts is considered gradual

Antiquated means the opposite of progressive

The student knew if he didn't practice his reading he would ________ in his reading level

An antonym for gradual is

If you do your homework, study hard, and try your best, you will surely _________________.

When training for the race, she ran a little further each day and made __________ improvements.

a synonym for degrade is

The more I sat at home eating junk food, the more I felt like I was starting to ______________.

to earn a degree 

The architect's new building design was very _______________, it made the city look modern

which is an antonym for regress

Progressive means moving backwards

Demote means the same as graduate