Lower in status (7)
I believe the answer is:
degrade
'lower in status' is the definition.
'degrade' can be an answer for 'lower' (I've seen this in another clue). I am not sure about the 'in status' bit.
'lower in status' is the wordplay.
'lower in' becomes 'de' (I can't justify this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'status' becomes 'grade' (grade is a kind of status).
'de'+'grade'='DEGRADE'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for degrade that I've seen before include "Lower the quality of (something)" , "Cheapen, bring disgrace on" , "Disgrace, lower in status" , "Reduce in status or rank" , "Break down, deteriorate" .)