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
The 131 items are worth about $40 billion, or around 24% of Chinese imports from the U.S. in 2024, Bloomberg calculations based on China customs data show. Arkansas Online, 3 May 2025 Servite still has a good chance to get an at-large berth based on its strong power rankings. Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 3 May 2025
Noun
The base of each chair is 25 inches by 24.5 inches, the loveseat is 43 inches wide, and the table is 35.6 inches wide. Clint Davis, People.com, 3 May 2025 And to make room for shipbuilding purposes, the bill would also expand the U.S. shipyard industrial base for both military and commercial oceangoing vessels by establishing a 25 percent investment tax credit for shipyard investments. Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 2 May 2025
Adjective
The agency is paying base monthly rent of $4.15 per square foot for the first 12 months of the 15-year lease, or $4.3 million in total. Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 2025 The old color is removed; the cuticles are cleaned; the nails are shaped; and a base coat is applied before adding layers of color and a final top coat. Irene Coltrinari, Vogue, 4 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for base
Recent Examples of Synonyms for base
Verb
  • Having a trusted circle that understands the challenges and wins of entrepreneurship keeps me grounded.
    Rolling Stone Culture Council, Rolling Stone, 2 May 2025
  • Following an intentional walk to McNeil, Francisco Alvarez grounded out to third to end the game.
    Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 1 May 2025
Noun
  • The Knights had the bases loaded when Andrew Langer came on in relief and got the final out on a fly ball to center field.
    John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 May 2025
  • Soon after, Pakistani officials said retaliatory action against Indian bases had begun.
    Richard Pérez-Peña Tyler Pager Genevieve Glatsky Liam Stack, New York Times, 10 May 2025
Noun
  • The camp includes faculty performances and a final student recital.
    Eric E. Harrison, Arkansas Online, 3 May 2025
  • According to a police statement, a contractor hired to open a seasonal camp in the town came across the car, which was stuck on a camp road.
    Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 3 May 2025
Noun
  • Installing new modern hardware and software for all air traffic facilities to create a common platform system throughout towers, TRACONs and centers.
    Zach Wichter, USA Today, 9 May 2025
  • The pair’s latest dispute centers on deep disagreements over whether to focus on slashing property taxes or sales taxes.
    Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 8 May 2025
Noun
  • There’s a camera grip that also attaches to the bottom of the case to turn the whole setup into something resembling a camera.
    Ben Sin, Forbes.com, 4 May 2025
  • So City essentially had three stacks of two — Bernardo and Kovacic at the bottom with Grealish and Lewis in front of them, forming a square or box.
    Sam Lee, New York Times, 3 May 2025
Adjective
  • The Imperial City Sewers you’re meant to traverse while learning the basics of the game look hideous and vile.
    Jamal Michel, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025
  • While he’s gone, Louise really does give it the ol’ college try with Dane, who hurls threats, vile insults, and more threats in her direction.
    Sara Netzley, EW.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • This match was brimming with goals and officiating controversy, and on the whole, the weekend was a humble reminder to everyone who dared question the chaos quotient in this league: The limit does not exist.
    Emily Olsen, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Amidst heated debate about what sneaker will take the Adidas Sambas’ crown for shoe du jour, Richie Grainge offered up the humble Reebok.
    Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 28 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Enjoyment of the burgeoning Simple Favor franchise is predicated on two things: your ability to suspend disbelief for every new plot twist and your appreciation for Blake Lively in a suit.
    Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 2 May 2025
  • Colorado’s open records law, like the federal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and similar statutes across the United States, is predicated on a simple but powerful idea: Government records are the property of the people, not the agency holding them.
    Jim Martin, Denver Post, 1 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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