debase

Meaning

1. (transitive) To lower in character, quality, or value; to degrade.
2. (archaic, transitive) To lower in position or rank.
3. (transitive) 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

demean

pervert

profane

debauch

vitiate

subvert

defile

cheapen

alloy

humble

depreciate

demoralize

demoralise

belittle

dilute

deflate

dishonor

discredit

ruin

stretch

devalue

lower

misdirect

derogate

depredate

foul

mortify

taint

load

denigrate

counterfeit

demolish

couch

🛋️

draw a line

drag down

deform

deflower

bad-mouth

downsize

downgrade

draw

disparage

bring down

Translations

abâtardir

abaisser

erniedrigen

envilecer

avilir

degradar

verschlechtern

dégrader

déprécier

εξευτελίζω

entwürdigen

vernederen

rebajar

svilire

kleineren

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”). Compare abase.