base 1 of 3

as in to ground
to find a basis she based her argument on careful research

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

base

2 of 3

noun

1
2
as in camp
a place from which an advance (as for military operations) is made the army's base of attack was kept top secret until the battle began

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
4
as in bottom
the lowest part, place, or point the base of the mountain extends over a huge area make sure the base of the stove rests evenly on the floor

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

5
as in headquarters
the place from which a commander runs operations the army base is three miles down the road

Synonyms & Similar Words

base

3 of 3

adjective

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective base contrast with its synonyms?

The words low and vile are common synonyms of base. While all three words mean "deserving of contempt because of the absence of higher values," base stresses the ignoble and may suggest cruelty, treachery, greed, or grossness.

base motives

When is low a more appropriate choice than base?

The meanings of low and base largely overlap; however, low may connote crafty cunning, vulgarity, or immorality and regularly implies an outraging of one's sense of decency or propriety.

refused to listen to such low talk

Where would vile be a reasonable alternative to base?

In some situations, the words vile and base are roughly equivalent. However, vile, the strongest of these words, tends to suggest disgusting depravity or filth.

a vile remark

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of base
Verb
According to Google Arts & Culture, the city's economy is based on tourism, gemstone cutting, jewelry manufacturing, and information technology. Celia Fernandez, CNBC, 8 Nov. 2025 Democrats gathered for a conference hosted by progressives were sneering at Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, who was not present, for shutting down popular new faces based on disagreements over specific issues. Dave Smith, Fortune, 8 Nov. 2025
Noun
This will make for a super smooth tomato sauce base ready to dress up with spices and herbs. Molly Allen, Southern Living, 10 Nov. 2025 The early years meant dealing with discrimination that forced them to shift their client base to Black communities, building churches and HBCUs when white clients wouldn’t hire them. Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
The base exercise comes amid the federal government shutdown that is now on its 18th day. Heather McRea, Oc Register, 18 Oct. 2025 Schake’s target annual bonus opportunity (150% of her annual salary) and target long-term equity incentive annual award value (350% of base salary) were unchanged. Todd Spangler, Variety, 16 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for base
Recent Examples of Synonyms for base
Verb
  • All were well above the overall 3% of domestic flights nationwide that had been grounded, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium.
    Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Her bond with Simone Biles has been well documented, but Chiles lights up when talking about other unexpected connections that also keep her grounded.
    Essence, Essence, 6 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • With the 240v power most EV owners use on a daily basis at home or work, 0%-100% takes about 11 hours.
    Mark Phelan, USA Today, 10 Nov. 2025
  • Developed with technical support from Quantis, the questionnaire is available to all fashion brands on an optional and non-exclusive basis.
    Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 10 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • If Alt was going to be in the lineup, the Chargers had a chance to piece their front together and potentially contend, even after losing tackle Rashawn Slater for the season because of a training camp knee injury.
    Daniel Popper, New York Times, 5 Nov. 2025
  • In Kakuma, a vast refugee camp near the South Sudan border, starting in spring, our documentary team followed clinicians and families inside the stabilization unit at Clinic 7, where the sickest children come.
    The New Yorker, New Yorker, 5 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • The source of the flare is an active galactic nucleus, or AGN — a bright, compact region at the center of a galaxy — and it’s powered by a supermassive black hole that is actively feeding on material.
    Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Global capability centers have evolved far beyond tech support, but their growth presents challenges for multinationals and Indian cities alike.
    Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 6 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Bodies quickly decompose at the bottom of the ocean or in a swamp, leaving few traces behind.
    Frederick Dreier, Outside, 11 Nov. 2025
  • Roast cabbage and pierogies 12 to 15 minutes, then stir cabbage, flip pierogies, and swap baking sheets top to bottom.
    Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Players have faced vile fan reactions and even death threats for their failure to satisfy bettors in the moment.
    Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 26 Oct. 2025
  • The Minnesota Vikings condemned the vile racist message defensive back Isaiah Rodgers received following the team’s 28-22 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The experience of having a superstar in front of you that’s such a humble human being as well?
    Cata Balzano, HollywoodReporter, 11 Nov. 2025
  • But lately, this humble nut is having a renaissance.
    Todd Plummer, Vogue, 11 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Still, the crux of the alliance between Washington and Seoul is predicated on deterring Pyongyang’s aggression, Hegseth said, who earlier in the week visited the Demilitarized Zone on the border with North Korea.
    Filip Timotija, The Hill, 4 Nov. 2025
  • But all of these tropes, from the beard to the villain, are predicated on the idea that sexuality and desire are always legible on the body.
    Kelly Foster Lundquist, PEOPLE, 2 Nov. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Base.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/base. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on base

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!