debase

Meaning

1. To lower in character, quality, or value; to degrade.
2. To lower in position or rank.
3. To lower the value of (a currency) by reducing the amount of valuable metal in the coins.

Synonyms

degrade

humiliate

corrupt

adulterate

abase

disgrace

deprave

profane

demean

pervert

vitiate

debauch

subvert

alloy

cheapen

depreciate

humble

defile

misdirect

taint

discredit

depredate

foul

derogate

deflate

ruin

dishonor

mortify

belittle

devalue

load

dilute

lower

demoralize

demoralise

stretch

lessen

let down

look down

mar

minimize

misjudge

misrepresent

murder

pollute

pull down

put to shame

reduce

roll out

run down

scorn

shrink

streak

take down

underestimate

underrate

understate

undervalue

vilify

wangle

worsen

wreck

write down

cry down

make a stroke

pull to pieces

treat with contempt

villify

abridge

affront

bad-mouth

blast

blight

break

bring down

couch

🛋️

counterfeit

cut up

damage

debasement

decrease

deface

deflower

deform

demolish

denigrate

despoil

destroy

diminish

discourage

disparage

downgrade

downsize

drag down

draw

draw a line

drop

excoriate

fake

falsify

fight off

fudge

jaundice

Pronounced as (IPA)

/dɪˈbeɪs/

Etymology

Cognate with Spanish: debajo

In summary

From de- + base, from Old French bas, from Latin bassus. Cognate with Spanish debajo (“under, beneath, below”).