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 of devalue

• reduce

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

The American Association of University Professors, for one, says the programs devalue the meaning of a college credential. — ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026

Creative labor certainly seems to be disappearing as studios experiment with generative AI, and artists and craftspeople are rightly afraid of being further mistreated, devalued, or replaced. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 21 Aug. 2026

As economic anxiety reshapes American masculinity, a growing subculture of young and working-class men is turning to maxxing out their bodies as a way to reclaim value in a labor market that increasingly devalues physical work. — Michael Kimmel, Time, 15 Aug. 2026

What outrages Marylanders is that this diabolical plan excludes the Preakness, devaluing it and implying the Triple Crown is irrelevant, if not dead. — Stephen J. K. Walters, Baltimore Sun, 12 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1918, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2

Rhymes for devalue

• accrue
• ado
• ainu
• aircrew
• airscrew
• anew
• askew
• baboo
• babu
• bamboo
• beaucoup
• bijou

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