base 1 of 3

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

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

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
Saturday’s start was Sheehan’s best based on both consistency and results. Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2026 Sourcing & Methodology This article was generated by software that analyzes National Weather Service warnings and advisories and creates an article based on templates created by humans. Southern California Weather Report, Daily News, 12 Apr. 2026
Noun
When fresh produce like cucumbers, watermelon, citrus, or tomatoes are in season, juice them to act as a vibrant base or accent for a drink. Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Apr. 2026 His skating truly is on another level, both through his edges and through a uniquely wide straightaway base. Scott Wheeler, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
Messer’s deal was for five years and featured a base salary of $625,000 with an annual increase of $25,000. Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Mar. 2026 At least six Kurdish Peshmerga fighters were killed in an Iranian missile attack on a base north of Erbil in Iraqi Kurdistan, local officials said Tuesday, in the first direct Iranian attack on Peshmerga forces in Iraq. Moriah Thomas, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for base
Recent Examples of Synonyms for base
Verb
  • That mix of nature and physical movement kept me grounded.
    Janelle Ash, FOXNews.com, 11 Apr. 2026
  • The Brewers eventually loaded the bases with two outs before Ortiz grounded out to the mound to end it.
    ABC News, ABC News, 11 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Alex Vesia walked pinch-hitter Davis Schneider to load the bases, then retired the next three batters.
    CBS News, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2026
  • Centennial loaded the bases with 2 singles and an error before the Owls got the next 2 batters to strike out.
    Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • But neither is an experienced starter so general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and coach Jeff Hafley will almost certainly seek training camp competition for each role.
    Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 9 Apr. 2026
  • Outside of its players on rookie deals — Edwards, Lacan, Morrow and Rivers — Connecticut has signed just one player, French guard Migna Toure, to a training camp contract.
    Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 9 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Rising electricity rates have been a fault line in recent campaigns, especially as enormous data centers are built to power artificial intelligence.
    ABC News, ABC News, 9 Apr. 2026
  • Hager, who worked at three ARC centers during the span of nearly a decade, said those kinds of groups that ARC billed for were the standard and forging group notes was common.
    Alex Acquisto, CNN Money, 9 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Isolated by its beautiful, rugged mountains, West Virginia sits entirely within Appalachia and has long been listed at the bottom of a laundry list of failings, including poor health and a lack of education.
    ABC News, ABC News, 9 Apr. 2026
  • Dangerous shore break can throw a swimmer or surfer head first into the bottom causing neck and back injuries.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • His Max is both vile and charming, and the result is undeniably magnetic.
    Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Apr. 2026
  • Slayyyter’s music is vile, explicit, and a threat to common decency.
    Harry Tafoya, Pitchfork, 2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The spicy, savory kick of cowboy butter elevates a humble pan of sautéed meatballs into your family's new favorite dinner.
    Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 12 Apr. 2026
  • So was exuding pride, even behind a humble hot dog stand, which was how his great-uncle Pat got his start.
    Danielle Paquette The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 12 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • But the texts of these new laws—which are heavily predicated on a kidfluencer’s willingness to sue his or her own parents—are at turns vague, confounding, and possibly toothless.
    Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2026
  • The limit is predicated on the idea that athletes should finish their collegiate careers around the same time as their classmates and shouldn’t hold roster spots that would otherwise go to incoming freshmen or transfer students.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 3 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Base.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/base. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.

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