devalue

verb

de·​val·​ue (ˌ)dē-ˈval-(ˌ)yü 

devalued; devaluing; devalues

transitive verb

1

: to institute the devaluation of (money)

2

: to lessen the value of

intransitive verb

: to institute devaluation

Synonyms

• attenuate
• break
• cheapen
• depreciate
• depress
• devaluate
• downgrade
• lower
• mark down
• reduce
• sink
• write down
• write off

Examples of devalue in a Sentence

The government has decided to devalue its currency.

Economic woes forced the government to devalue.

He argues that placing too many requirements on schools devalues the education they provide.

Recent Examples on the Web

And that’s on top of the ongoing political attacks on women’s bodily autonomy and attempts to devalue diversity and whitewash Black history. —Erika D. Smith, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2024

Don’t sell yourself short; know your worth and refuse to let anyone devalue you. —Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 4 June 2024

Americans traditionally devalue communal living, preferring independent property ownership instead. —Kelly G. Richardson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 June 2024

Furthermore, Dimon warned many investors aren’t appreciating just how much rising interest rates have devalued private loan portfolios. —Will Daniel, Fortune, 30 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1918, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Legal Definition

devalue

transitive verb

de·​val·​ue (ˌ)dē-ˈval-(ˌ)yü 

devalued; devaluing

1

: to institute the devaluation of (money)

2

: to lessen the value of

devaluing assets