debasement
Americannoun
-
the act of reducing the quality or value of something.
The moment any paper currency is firmly linked back to gold, the debasement of paper money stops.
-
the fact or state of being lowered in dignity, character, or importance.
Rich and greedy, he chose debasement, disgrace, and dishonorable practices in order to get even richer.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of debasement
Explanation
Debasement is the process of spoiling something or reducing its value by combining it with another material. Debasement can also refer to degrading or disgracing someone. The noun debasement can be used in an economic context to mean "lower the value of currency or money," usually referring to coins made of gold or silver that has been mixed with cheaper metals. In the old days, debasement generally meant the removal of someone's knighthood: "The knight's treasonous actions meant certain debasement by the king." Today you might hear someone complain about the debasement of politics caused by big money.
Vocabulary lists containing debasement
"Politics and the English Language" by George Orwell
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The Nickel Boys
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Circe
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
OK, time to pivot from the slow debasement of public service to a public-service announcement from my colleagues about what to read and listen to if you’re looking for a distraction:
From Slate ● Oct. 8, 2026
This is driven by persistent central bank buying, rising geopolitical risks and concerns over fiscal sustainability and currency debasement.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 22, 2026
The hearing is where the debasement gets acknowledged, years late, under fluorescent lights, by the people who presided over it.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 15, 2026
Bitcoin stirred to life last week as a bond rout revived talk of the debasement trade.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 27, 2026
When other entrepreneurs created jukeboxes by arranging for a phonograph to play popular music at the drop of a coin, Edison objected to this debasement, which apparently detracted from serious office use of his invention.
From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond
Random Word
Spin the wheel and learn a new word!
Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
