Synonyms of debase

debase 1 of 2

verb

di-ˈbās 

1

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

• degrade
• humiliate
• subvert
• weaken
• demean
• corrupt
• debauch
• deteriorate
• dilute
• destroy
• poison
• pervert
• cheapen
• bastardize
• deprave
• abase
• ruin
• vitiate
• lessen
• demoralize
• pollute
• prostitute
• damage
• disgrace
• mar
• contaminate
• taint
• impair
• profane
• warp
• shame
• hurt
• humble
• dirty
• canker
• defile
• harm
• dishonor
• spoil
• thin
• tarnish
• water down
• wreck
• befoul
• deface
• flaw
• descend
• depreciate
• stain
• begrime
• take down
• downgrade
• blemish

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• elevate
• improve
• exalt
• honor
• uplift
• ennoble
• better
• enhance
• amend
• enrich
• perfect
• ameliorate
• dignify
• restore
• refine
• clarify
• purify
• clean
• cleanse
• respect
• meliorate

2

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

• humiliate
• discredit
• degrade
• embarrass
• demean
• confuse
• humble
• cheapen
• shame
• dishonor
• disgrace
• abase
• insult
• chasten
• rattle
• diminish
• criticize
• take down
• lower
• smirch
• foul
• disparage
• minimize
• belittle
• mortify
• ridicule
• detract
• sink
• disconcert
• depreciate
• confound
• discountenance
• defame
• malign
• condemn
• decry
• defile
• faze
• castigate
• slander
• libel
• fluster
• discount
• denounce
• discomfit
• abash
• affront
• write off
• nonplus
• put down
• bad-mouth
• cry down
• censure
• damn
• execrate
• reprehend
• reprobate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• elevate
• exalt
• aggrandize
• honor
• recognize
• commend
• deify
• celebrate
• cite
• canonize
• acknowledge
• boast
• applaud
• extol
• decorate
• congratulate
• laud
• cheer
• compliment
• tout
• praise
• eulogize
• extoll
• salute
• hail
• highlight
• promote
• ennoble
• acclaim
• dignify
• glorify
• enshrine
• magnify
• enthrone
• play up
• raise
• advance
• lift
• spotlight
• uplift
• upgrade
• fete
• boost
• idealize
• fête
• romanticize
• ensky

debasement

2 of 2

noun

as in degradation

a sinking to a state of low moral standards and behavior

the debasement of professional sports to a shamelessly commercial enterprise

Synonyms & Similar Words

• degradation
• corruption
• corruptness
• dissoluteness
• perversion
• demoralization
• abjection
• turpitude
• dissipation
• degeneracy
• decadence
• depravity
• sinfulness
• degeneration
• libertinism
• decadency
• debauchery
• rakishness
• evil
• libertinage
• immorality
• pervertedness
• villainy
• degenerateness
• wickedness
• dissipatedness
• squalor
• filth
• gangrene
• rot

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• virtue
• morality
• goodness
• righteousness

Examples of debase in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Christ reduced to a potato chip, debased and vilified like two thousand years ago. —John Ganz, Harper's Magazine, 22 May 2024

But unfortunately, some of our nation’s esteemed jurists have decided to debase themselves by allowing this farce to continue. —New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 27 Apr. 2024

But the analysis of coins from 250 to 350 CE showed declining percentages of silver because the Roman mints gradually debased the denarius to increase their profits. —Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 11 Apr. 2024

The ultimate irony is that the Board of Education, while claiming to champion the values and goals developed by Western Civilization, actually debases them. —Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 4 Mar. 2024