DEBASE Synonyms: 160 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'debase' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of debase are corrupt , debauch , deprave , pervert , and vitiate . While all these words mean "to cause deterioration or lowering in quality or character," debase implies a loss of position, worth, value, or dignity. // commercialism has debased the holiday

Q: In what contexts can 'corrupt' take the place of 'debase'?

The words corrupt and debase can be used in similar contexts, but corrupt implies loss of soundness, purity, or integrity. // the belief that bureaucratese corrupts the language

Q: When is it sensible to use 'debauch' instead of 'debase'?

The words debauch and debase are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, debauch implies a debasing through sensual indulgence. // the long stay on a tropical isle had debauched the ship's crew

Q: Where would 'deprave' be a reasonable alternative to 'debase'?

While in some cases nearly identical to debase , deprave implies moral deterioration by evil thoughts or influences. // the claim that society is depraved by pornography

Q: When would 'pervert' be a good substitute for 'debase'?

The meanings of pervert and debase largely overlap; however, pervert implies a twisting or distorting from what is natural or normal. // perverted the original goals of the institute

Q: When is 'vitiate' a more appropriate choice than 'debase'?

While the synonyms vitiate and debase are close in meaning, vitiate implies a destruction of purity, validity, or effectiveness by allowing entrance of a fault or defect. // a foreign policy vitiated by partisanship

debase

verb

di-ˈbās

Definition of debase next

as in to degrade

to lower in character, dignity, or quality we debase ourselves when we adopt the moral code and behavior of our despised enemies

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to humiliate

to reduce to a lower standing in one's own eyes or in others' eyes our failure to win a single game completely debased us

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word debase different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of debase are corrupt, debauch, deprave, pervert, and vitiate. While all these words mean "to cause deterioration or lowering in quality or character," debase implies a loss of position, worth, value, or dignity.

commercialism has debased the holiday

In what contexts can corrupt take the place of debase?

The words corrupt and debase can be used in similar contexts, but corrupt implies loss of soundness, purity, or integrity.

the belief that bureaucratese corrupts the language

When is it sensible to use debauch instead of debase?

The words debauch and debase are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, debauch implies a debasing through sensual indulgence.

the long stay on a tropical isle had debauched the ship's crew

Where would deprave be a reasonable alternative to debase?

While in some cases nearly identical to debase, deprave implies moral deterioration by evil thoughts or influences.

the claim that society is depraved by pornography

When would pervert be a good substitute for debase?

The meanings of pervert and debase largely overlap; however, pervert implies a twisting or distorting from what is natural or normal.

perverted the original goals of the institute

When is vitiate a more appropriate choice than debase?

While the synonyms vitiate and debase are close in meaning, vitiate implies a destruction of purity, validity, or effectiveness by allowing entrance of a fault or defect.

a foreign policy vitiated by partisanship

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of debase By that time – perhaps only a decade from now, perhaps longer – the dollar may have been debased so badly that one bitcoin might be priced at $1 trillion or more. —

Dave Birnbaum, Forbes, 24 Nov. 2024 Bitcoin’s edge over gold lies in its unparalleled scarcity and technological attributes—a mix between a tech stock and gold that cannot be debased and can settle globally in minutes. —

Ansel Lindner, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024 Trump was really at that Buck’s County McDonald’s, debasing himself for swing-state votes in the same way that candidates have for generations (see: Rick Perry eating a corn dog in 2011). —

Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 21 Oct. 2024 Expanding the Vocabulary With great discipline and sanity, Kamala Harris has been navigating a minefield of Trumpian insults and attempts to debase her. —

Patricia J. Williams, The New York Review of Books, 18 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for debase

Recent Examples of Synonyms for debase

Verb

Keeping your phone fully charged or fully discharging the battery will degrade it slightly faster, and regularly swinging between full and empty will shorten its life.

— Julian Chokkattu, WIRED, 19 Jan. 2025
Moreover, Trump’s penchant for degrading the reputation of those around him will likely frustrate efforts by Vance to re-elevate his office.

— Roy Brownell, Baltimore Sun, 18 Jan. 2025