Befoul vs Degrade - What's the difference?

Befoul is a related term of degrade.

is that befoul is to make foul; to soil while degrade is .

(en verb)

To make foul; to soil.

To entangle or run against so as to impede motion.

(degrad)

To lower in value or social position.

Fred degrades himself by his behaviour.

* Palfrey

Prynne was sentenced by the Star Chamber Court to be degraded from the bar.

To reduce in quality or purity.

The DNA sample has degraded .

(geology) To reduce in altitude or magnitude, as hills and mountains; to wear down.

* degradation