grad, gress

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Across
  1. 4. to make someone step down to a lower position or rank
  2. 5. Celsius; temperature rating on the thermometer made up of 100 degree intervals or steps
  3. 7. to move a step in a positive direction; to improve
  4. 8. to go back; to move a step back
Down
  1. 1. hostile; stepping into someone's space with forceful energy
  2. 2. a step-by-step sequence within a continuous series
  3. 3. to move up a step or level; to improve in quality
  4. 4. to stray away from the main topic; to step away from the topic and lose clarity
  5. 6. to move up a step in education (usually out of a school)
  6. 9. a slow step-by-step change