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 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 Antiestablishment fever has debased policy debate and loosened the checks on executive power that generate consistency. —

Daniel W. Drezner, Foreign Affairs, 13 Apr. 2020 But as Johnson’s policies in Vietnam provoked rising opposition in the country, factions within the Democratic Party launched a ferocious and debasing assault against his reelection campaign in 1968. —

Lawrence R. Jacobs / Made By History, TIME, 22 July 2024 The only way to get an exception from the I.D. mandate is to take some kind of debasing job. —

Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 19 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for debase

Recent Examples of Synonyms for debase

Verb

In addition, heat from combustion causes some pesticides to degrade into harmful gases such as hydrogen cyanide.

Paige St. John, Los Angeles Times, 19 Dec. 2024
This air bag issue is separate from the largest automotive recall in history, that of 67 million Takata air bag inflators, whose metal canisters degrade with age, heat and humidity, and can, without warning, become bombs.

David Shepardson, Detroit Free Press, 19 Dec. 2024