devalue

verb

de·​val·​ue (ˌ)dē-ˈval-(ˌ)yü 

devalued; devaluing; devalues

transitive verb

1

: to institute the devaluation of (money)

2

: to lessen the value of

intransitive verb

: to institute devaluation

Synonyms

• attenuate
• break
• cheapen
• depreciate
• depress
• devaluate
• downgrade
• lower
• mark down
• reduce
• sink
• write down
• write off

Examples of devalue in a Sentence

The government has decided to devalue its currency.

Economic woes forced the government to devalue.

He argues that placing too many requirements on schools devalues the education they provide.

Recent Examples on the Web

Our national currency is devaluing and shrinking every day. —Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025

For example, if an AI starts to take a human’s past work and replicate it somehow, that’s going to devalue what the human is still offering to the job market. —John Werner, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025

Thanks to Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry and Josh Jacobs, veteran running backs never have to worry about getting devalued and shortchanged ever again. —Vic Tafur, The Athletic, 24 Feb. 2025

In the next five years, at least 20% of U.S. homes will be devalued in some way by the effects of climate change, Burt said. —Diana Olick, CNBC, 19 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1918, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for devalue

• accrue
• ado
• ainu
• aircrew
• airscrew
• anew
• askew
• baboo
• babu
• bamboo
• beaucoup
• bijou

Legal Definition

devalue

transitive verb

de·​val·​ue (ˌ)dē-ˈval-(ˌ)yü 

devalued; devaluing

1

: to institute the devaluation of (money)

2

: to lessen the value of

devaluing assets