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

In this country, we are obsessed with content and curriculum, all the while devaluing presence and proximity, which are two teaching values hard to describe or quantify (or, indeed, teach). —Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2025

From threats to collective bargaining to dismissive rhetoric, many feel devalued. —Gena Cox, Forbes.com, 6 May 2025

Russian officials cautioned Tuesday that the country's economy could face significant strain if China moves to devalue the yuan in retaliation against steep tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump amid an intensifying trade war. —Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Apr. 2025

Fans speculated that the team traded Doncic to devalue the franchise before attempting to move. —Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1918, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

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