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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in degradation
a sinking to a state of low moral standards and behavior
the debasement of professional sports to a shamelessly commercial enterprise
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of debase
Dave Birnbaum, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
By that time – perhaps only a decade from now, perhaps longer – the dollar may have been debased so badly that one bitcoin might be priced at $1 trillion or more.
—Dave Birnbaum, Forbes, 24 Nov. 2024
His illuminating backstage account of cable news describes thoughtful journalists debasing themselves in their scramble to retain straying viewers.
—Daniel Immerwahr, The New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2025
Only by allowing himself to be debased can this man actually come to understand God.
—Kevin Lincoln, Vulture, 20 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for debase
Verb
This is what distinguishes bitcoin from every other modern financial asset – like gold, it cannot be debased by fiat or easily censored.
—Dave Birnbaum, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
By that time – perhaps only a decade from now, perhaps longer – the dollar may have been debased so badly that one bitcoin might be priced at $1 trillion or more.
—Dave Birnbaum, Forbes, 24 Nov. 2024
His illuminating backstage account of cable news describes thoughtful journalists debasing themselves in their scramble to retain straying viewers.
—Daniel Immerwahr, The New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2025
Only by allowing himself to be debased can this man actually come to understand God.
—Kevin Lincoln, Vulture, 20 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for debase
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debase
Verb
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Meanwhile, Erebus is at risk of degrading due to strong currents.—
Meilan Solly,
Smithsonian Magazine,
19 May 2025
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Plus, this rash guard’s fabric blocks 98% of UVA and UVB rays, though keep in mind that frequent laundering will degrade the UV-blocking ability over time.5 In general, it’s recommended that UPF clothing be replaced after 40-50 washes.—
Laura Lu,
Parents,
19 May 2025
Verb
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The writer-director’s smartest move is never to deny Colin his dignity, even when he’s humiliated for disappointing Ray or getting vigorously plowed on a table.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
18 May 2025
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But who among us has not had a little marital spat over one person buying an entire hospital just to humiliate the other?—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
16 May 2025
Noun
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Violence, corruption and environmental degradation have saturated the avocado trade there, causing the U.S. to briefly stop imports and senators to agitate for action by the federal government.—
Daniel Miller,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2025
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These trade shifts are causing environmental degradation.—
Simi Thambi,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
Verb
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Television ‘The Last of Us’ director on Ellie and Dina’s relationship: ‘This is not just a crush’ May 4, 2025 The stakes in Season 1 were very clear — get Ellie to where she can be used to make a cure — even if they were subverted in the end.—
Mary McNamara,
Los Angeles Times,
26 May 2025
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The chancellor’s attempt to seek your commission’s forgiveness years after deliberately avoiding your timely permission reads now like a cagey campaign to dodge his duties as steward of our knoll and subvert the relevant rule of law.—
Letters To The Editor,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 May 2025
Verb
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Injuries contributed to the Pacers’ series wins over the Milwaukee Bucks and the Cleveland Cavaliers, but claiming the Pacers only advanced to the Eastern Conference finals for a second straight postseason because of lucky breaks discredits their greatness.—
Jovan Buha,
New York Times,
22 May 2025
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The former Minnesota Democratic congressman was widely shunned for running against Biden and discredited for his accusations that Biden wasn’t capable of being president again.—
Ross O'Keefe,
The Washington Examiner,
22 May 2025
Noun
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The series is centered on organized crime and corruption in Atlantic City during the Prohibition era, using real-life characters like Al Capone, Lucky Luciano and Meyer Lansky.—
Alex Knapp,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
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At the same time, a statewide grand jury, the FBI and state prosecutors were investigating corruption among public officials, including some in Broward schools.—
Scott Travis,
Sun Sentinel,
22 May 2025
Verb
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In Colorado, for example, several AI companies recently lobbied to delay and weaken the state’s landmark AI accountability legislation — a preview of what unchecked industry influence could look like under a regulatory freeze.—
Anisha Sircar,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2025
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Their backing from the youngest voters weakened in 2024 (Catalist).—
Nick Mordowanec,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 May 2025
Verb
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Every sports league is better with a bad guy, and Reese subtly demeaning Clark is a brilliant marketing ploy.—
Mac Engel,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 May 2025
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The Ramirez cartoon demeans these hardworking Americans whose earnings leave them unable to afford private health insurance and perpetuates the fiction that Medicaid recipients are freeloaders.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
27 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Debase.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debase. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
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