debase

American  

[dih-beys] / dɪˈbeɪs /

verb (used with object)

debased, debasing

1. to reduce in quality or value; adulterate.

   They debased the value of the dollar.

   Synonyms:

   defile, pollute, contaminate, corrupt, vitiate, lower

2. to lower in rank, dignity, or significance.

   He wouldn't debase himself by doing manual labor.

   Synonyms:

   reduce, demean, abase, degrade

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debase British  

/ dɪˈbeɪsɪdnɪs, dɪˈbeɪs /

verb

1. (tr) to lower in quality, character, or value, as by adding cheaper metal to coins; adulterate

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Other Word Forms

• debasedness
  noun
• debasement
  noun
• debaser
  noun
• debasingly
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of debase

First recorded in 1555–65; de- + base ²; cf. abase

Explanation

To debase something is to make it corrupt or impure. If your lemonade stand sells “pure lemonade,” you’d insist on using real lemons instead of a mix; using a mix would debase your product. Debase is often used in the context of two things: coins and people. To debase a coin is to replace some of the precious metal in the coin with metal of lesser value. To debase a person is to corrupt them, often by driving them to perform an immoral act like (gasp!) using the lemonade mix. Just promise us you won’t do it.

Example Sentences

Debase has reference to the bringing down of a thing in purity, or making it base.

From Webster's Unabridged Dictionary by Webster, Noah

Debase not the dignity of man by imagining for one instant that there is anyone who would lend himself so readily to act the odious part you impute to me.

From Werwolves by O'Donnell, Elliott

Debase, de-bās′, v.t. to lower: to make mean or of less value: to adulterate.—adj.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 1 of 4: A-D) by Various

Debase love and we can speak of it; let it rush upwards to its apotheosis and we must be dumb.

From Once Aboard the Lugger by Hutchinson, A. S. M. (Arthur Stuart-Menteth)

Debase your currency, and soon it will cease to pass current.

From Little Journeys to the Homes of the Great - Volume 12 Little Journeys to the Homes of Great Scientists by Hubbard, Elbert

Related Words

• cheapen
• demean
• demoralize
• disgrace
• dishonor
• humiliate