WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025
de•base /dɪˈbeɪs/USA pronunciation
v. [ ~ + obj], -based, -bas•ing.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025- to lower in quality or value:Inflation has debased the country's currency.
- [ ~ + oneself] to disgrace (oneself):You will debase yourself by accepting a bribe.
de•base
(di bās′),USA pronunciation v.t., -based, -bas•ing.
de•bas•ed•ness
(di bā′sid nis, -bāst′-),USA pronunciation n.
de•base′ment, n.
de•bas′er, n.
de•bas′ing•ly, adv.
- to reduce in quality or value; adulterate:They debased the value of the dollar.
- to lower in rank, dignity, or significance:He wouldn't debase himself by doing manual labor.
- 1555–65; de- + base2; compare abase
de•bas′er, n.
de•bas′ing•ly, adv.
- 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged . lower, vitiate, corrupt; contaminate, pollute, defile.
- 2.See corresponding entry in Unabridged . degrade, abase, demean, reduce.
'debasement' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):