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

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
Grace is based in Manhattan, and studied English with concentrations in creative writing and fashion at Fordham University. Grace McCarty, Glamour, 12 Jan. 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, 5 Jan. 2026
Noun
From waterproof outerwear that won’t fail mid-run and base layers that keep warmth in, to the small-but-critical accessories travelers forget most, these pros break down exactly what’s worth packing. Staff Author, Travel + Leisure, 6 Jan. 2026 Whipping the whites creates an airy base that bakes while the yolk stays perfectly runny in the center. Maggie Meyer Glisan, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
Yes, but the Cowboys can and will do a revision that will knock a chunk off that figure by converting base salary to bonus money. Tim Cowlishaw, Dallas Morning News, 9 Jan. 2026 Pam Kramer, the president of KC2026, said each nation had to give FIFA its top five base-camp choices by Monday. Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 8 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for base
Recent Examples of Synonyms for base
Verb
  • Romance takes on a confident, playful tone in January, inviting you to have fun while staying grounded.
    Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 10 Jan. 2026
  • Having something familiar to read, especially during turbulence or delays, can be grounding and comforting.
    Alesandra Dubin, Travel + Leisure, 9 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Throughout the spring and deep into training camp, Williams felt the flames of Johnson’s intensity almost on an hourly basis.
    Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
  • But the department has argued the sheer volume of documents that need to be found, uploaded, reviewed, redacted and published has forced it to instead release the files online on a rolling basis, with a series of enormous document dumps over the course of several days in mid-December.
    Joe Walsh, CBS News, 6 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Newsom has found himself in this camp.
    Sal Rodriguez, Oc Register, 9 Jan. 2026
  • The base camp also serves as headquarters for many of that team’s traveling fans.
    Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 8 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • It’ll be deployed to Google DeepMind and Hyundai’s Robotics Metaplant Applications center in the coming months, and additional customers will adopt it in early 2027.
    Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 10 Jan. 2026
  • This path begins with choosing leaders who will put principle over politics and ideology, with a promise to focus on the middle class as the center of every policy.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Thank you from the bottom of my heart, thank you so much.
    Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026
  • Butter crocks are designed with an air-tight seal and a separate space to store water at the bottom that prevents air from reaching the butter, which can lead to spoiling.
    Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Removing a vile, brutal, and corrupt president without a clear transition plan, and relying on his former regime to deliver if for you, is not supporting democracy.
    Washington Post, Washington Post, 5 Jan. 2026
  • Grok, the chatbot of Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence company xAI, published sexualized images of children as its guardrails seem to have failed when it was prompted with vile user requests.
    The Los Angeles Times, Boston Herald, 4 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Singer Island has a humble personality, with more reverence for its natural beauty and less regard for glamorous perfection than its southern neighbor.
    Kelsey Glennon, Southern Living, 7 Jan. 2026
  • This humble ingredient is a powerhouse in all kinds of cooking.
    Anne Wolf, Martha Stewart, 7 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The murder charge that carries the death penalty is predicated on being carried out through a violent crime that must also be charged in the indictment.
    Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 9 Jan. 2026
  • This relationship is predicated on the student meeting academic and other requirements and paying tuition, and, in return, the college providing educational and related services.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 8 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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