Grad/Gres

a synonym for degrade is

The root Grad/Gres means

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

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

which is an antonym for regress

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

to earn a degree 

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

to treat something or someone poorly; or to make worse

Antiquated means the opposite of progressive

to return to an earlier, worse condition

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

Demote means the same as graduate

moving or changing in small amounts is considered gradual

An antonym for gradual is

Progressive means moving backwards