Synonyms of base

base 1 of 3

verb

as in to ground

to find a basis

she based her argument on careful research

Synonyms & Similar Words

• ground
• predicate
• rest
• found
• hang
• establish
• presume
• premise
• postulate
• suppose
• presuppose
• assume

base

2 of 3

noun

ˈbās 

1

as in basis

an immaterial thing upon which something else rests

the firm belief that complete trust between partners is the base of any successful marriage

Synonyms & Similar Words

• basis
• foundation
• bedrock
• cornerstone
• ground
• root
• justification
• core
• support
• groundwork
• footing
• keystone
• bottom
• premise
• warp
• framework
• underpinning
• theory
• essence
• center
• shore
• focus
• infrastructure
• warp and woof
• mount
• assumption
• backbone
• stay
• prop
• bed
• heart
• anchorage
• rationale
• kernel
• substratum
• bulwark
• thesis
• nucleus
• buttress
• seat
• substructure
• warrant
• presumption
• brace
• hub
• supposition
• presupposition
• soul
• eye
• touchstone
• quintessence

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

• camp
• center
• foothold
• station
• fortress
• bridgehead
• stronghold
• headquarters
• field
• front
• installation
• footing
• emplacement
• bastion
• beachhead
• staging area
• airbase
• staging ground
• fastness
• toehold
• battlefront

3

as in center

a thing or place that is of greatest importance to an activity or interest

the base of the industry is California's Silicon Valley

Synonyms & Similar Words

• center
• capital
• hub
• mecca
• core
• seat
• nucleus
• focus
• heart
• locus
• central
• nexus
• ground zero
• axis
• headquarters
• playground
• navel
• nerve center
• epicenter
• omphalos
• where it's at
• eye
• cynosure
• hot spot
• hive
• kernel
• attraction
• essence
• magnet
• hotbed
• nub
• thick
• pith
• happy hunting ground
• deep
• playland
• quintessence
• soul
• polestar
• lodestone

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

• bottom
• foot
• foundation
• basement
• basis
• ground
• seat
• bedrock
• bed
• rock bottom
• nadir
• keystone
• underpinning
• groundwork

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• top
• head
• vertex
• height
• peak
• tip
• apex
• summit
• crest
• pinnacle
• climax
• zenith
• meridian
• culmination
• acme
• tip-top

5

as in headquarters

the place from which a commander runs operations

the army base is three miles down the road

Synonyms & Similar Words

• headquarters
• command
• home
• command post
• seat

base

3 of 3

adjective

1

as in vile

not following or in accordance with standards of honor and decency

a base and sneaky act that is a clear violation of international law

Synonyms & Similar Words

• vile
• dirty
• nasty
• immoral
• low
• corrupt
• vicious
• ignoble
• bad
• detestable
• mean
• paltry
• cruel
• low-down
• ignominious
• sordid
• contemptible
• dishonorable
• evil
• execrable
• snide
• wrong
• wretched
• despicable
• foul
• currish
• wicked
• low-minded
• degenerate
• villainous
• iniquitous
• debased
• miscreant
• perverted
• dissolute
• reprehensible
• depraved
• unworthy
• atrocious
• debauched
• censurable
• blameworthy
• unscrupulous
• unprincipled
• blamable
• unethical
• disgraceful
• shameful
• disreputable
• discreditable

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• high
• straight
• lofty
• noble
• upright
• right
• venerable
• just
• moral
• proper
• virtuous
• ethical
• excellent
• honorable
• good
• honest
• righteous
• principled
• exemplary
• decent
• scrupulous
• respectable
• commendable
• reputable
• high-minded
• blameless
• right-minded
• guiltless
• irreproachable
• unerring
• incorruptible
• seemly
• uncorrupted

2

as in humble

showing, expressing, or offered in a spirit of humility or unseemly submissiveness

their base obedience to every unprincipled action ordered by their leader

Synonyms & Similar Words

• humble
• abject
• servile
• meek
• menial
• slavish
• modest
• retiring
• hangdog
• unassuming
• lowly
• sheepish
• fawning
• sycophantic
• lamblike
• unpretentious
• toadyish
• demure
• sycophant

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• superior
• arrogant
• haughty
• lordly
• supercilious
• imperious
• uppity
• high-handed

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

Recent Examples of base

Verb

The pickup comes on the heels of the drama, based on a novel by Elin Hilderbrand and starring Jennifer Garner, getting strong viewing numbers after its July 9 premiere. — Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 5 Aug. 2026

The first is the all-electric midsize truck, expected to start at $30,000, based off Ford’s next-generation Universal Electric Vehicle Platform. — Breana Noble, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2026

Noun

The Houthis targeted a Saudi base in Yemen and Najran, a Saudi region near the border. — Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026

Retrospect combines delicate white florals with a rich base of musk, vanilla, and moss, offering a second-skin scent that lasts for an impressive 12 hours. — Kiana Murden, Vogue, 7 Aug. 2026

Adjective

The base storage on Pixel phones is also expected to increase. — Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 30 July 2026

Detecting those aircraft early remains one of the biggest challenges for base security teams, especially as commercial drones gain longer range and better endurance. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 29 July 2026

Phrases Containing base

• off base
• touch base (with)