base 1 of 3

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

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
Cities were ranked by net migration, basically how many people are moving to or from each city based on the annual percentage population change from 2020 to 2024. Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 15 July 2025 The Billboard 200 chart ranks the most popular albums of the week in the U.S. based on multimetric consumption as measured in equivalent album units, compiled by Luminate. Keith Caulfield, Billboard, 15 July 2025
Noun
When a company’s manufacturing base is changed to a different country, travel time on the ocean can be longer, and the U.S. port destination can be different. Lori Ann Larocco, CNBC, 14 July 2025 The organization’s emergency campaign has helped pay for medical equipment, toiletries and clothing, the rebuilding of a military base that was damaged by Hamas, and treatment for PTSD from combat. Asaf Elia-Shalev, Sun Sentinel, 14 July 2025
Adjective
Niccol stands to make up to $113 million in his first year as CEO, including a base salary of $1.6 million, a $75 million equity grant, and $10 million in signing bonuses for sticking at the job for the first six months. Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 3 July 2025 The package includes the screen, inflatable frame, four tether stakes, four tethers, base stakes, and a carrying case. Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 2 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for base
Recent Examples of Synonyms for base
Verb
  • Lunging, the righty grounded it to shortstop, resulting in the inning-ending double play.
    Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 July 2025
  • Willy Adames grounded to third against Ben Casparius for the third out.
    Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 13 July 2025
Noun
  • And while the Texas outbreak has slowed significantly, across the country, Rivers says the U.S. is now seeing more cases on a weekly basis than in previous years.
    Maria Godoy, NPR, 9 July 2025
  • In a realignment era when rivalries (and trophies) are forced upon fan bases, Notre Dame-Clemson has grown organically, fed by moments that would define seasons and careers.
    Pete Sampson, New York Times, 9 July 2025
Noun
  • Wilson should get plenty of work in training camp practices and preseason games because nowadays starters get most of their work in training camp during joint practices with opposing teams.
    Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 15 July 2025
  • Keeping that in mind, the Bills have now been urged to consider a major wide receiver trade ahead of training camp beginning.
    Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 July 2025
Noun
  • Grab a bike to cycle between the beachfront and the town center, whether in search of tacos or to scope out the latest collection of luxury villas transforming downtown Tulum.
    Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 19 July 2025
  • Although the summit is accessible by car and train, trails just beyond the visitor center can turn treacherous for anyone unfamiliar with mountain hiking.
    Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 19 July 2025
Noun
  • At the bottom of the favorability barrel were the IRS (38%) and the Justice Department (43%).
    Suzanne Rowan Kelleher, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
  • That included excavating a trench at the bottom of a hill the condominiums are built into.
    Jolene Almendarez, The Enquirer, 15 July 2025
Adjective
  • The tweets, a vile departure from Elmo’s often inspiring and motivational social media cadence, were sent on July 13 and promptly taken down.
    Zack Sharf, Variety, 14 July 2025
  • Michael Kracker, the chair of the Erie County Republican Committee, posted the image on X, formerly Twitter, describing it as vile.
    Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 July 2025
Adjective
  • Your support has helped grow the team from its humble beginnings to an F1 powerhouse that laid claim to 6 Constructors Championships and 8 Drivers Championships.
    Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 July 2025
  • Other successes like Mark Cuban and Keke Palmer, who similarly came from humble beginnings, echo his frugal habits and anxieties.
    Preston Fore, Fortune, 10 July 2025
Verb
  • Maxwell’s conviction was, after all, predicated on the existence of these men, as the jury at her trial heard and believed following testimony from victims.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2025
  • Now it’s predicated purely on compatibility, and that can very easily devolve into an algorithm as opposed to matters of the heart.
    Carlos Aguilar, Rolling Stone, 13 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Base.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/base. Accessed 23 Jul. 2025.

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