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
The creation of this content included the use of AI based on templates created, reviewed and edited by journalists in the newsroom. Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 20 Sep. 2025 Boedy's critical analysis of the Seven Mountains movement, based on a view that conservative Christians should influence seven major sectors of society, and his close observation of Kirk's advocacy over the years has drawn criticism from Kirk allies. Liam Adams, Nashville Tennessean, 20 Sep. 2025
Noun
Working with a larger data base, Klas Rönnbäck proposes an average profit rate of 14 to 15 percent for Southern slaveowners who rented out bondpeople. Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2025 Cronenworth extended his on-base streak to 10 games by going 1-for-4 yesterday. Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Sep. 2025
Adjective
The addition of the Warlock-like floaty jump (sorry, there are just a lot of Destiny things) is very good, as is the base level double jump all characters have. Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025 Although her base salary is $950,000, the majority of her wealth is connected to the market. Preston Fore, Fortune, 11 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for base
Recent Examples of Synonyms for base
Verb
  • Kershaw also made an impact with his bat, coaxing 13 pitches out of Bumgarner in the top of the fifth before grounding out.
    Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 20 Sep. 2025
  • Move interest rates to ground one and the other is up in the air.
    Erik Sherman, Forbes.com, 20 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The bank expects the PBOC to cut the seven-day reverse repo rate and loan prime rate by 10-basis points in the fourth quarter, along with a a 50-basis-point reduction in the reserve requirement ratio, which sets out how much cash banks must hold in reserve.
    Anniek Bao, CNBC, 22 Sep. 2025
  • The resolution, which outlines steps toward a two-state solution and backs a Hamas-free government for Palestine, serves as a basis for a peace plan, the Élysée Palace said in a statement on Friday.
    Tara John, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Sagapolutele won the job in fall camp and became the Golden Bears’ first true freshman starting quarterback since Jared Goff in 2013.
    Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Sep. 2025
  • These camps offer users flight experience, operational services.
    Robert Birsel Shane Croucher John Feng, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • And the data center blueprints running on Omniverse provide a digital twin for the design, construction, and operation of an AI data center, or AI factory as Nvidia refers to them.
    Jim McGregor, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
  • An even bigger concern may be whether New York has an in-house center capable of filling the 3C void.
    Vincent Z. Mercogliano, New York Times, 18 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • At the very least, the Red Wings won’t be pushovers at the bottom of the lineup with some great options that allow the team to play four-line hockey.
    The Athletic NHL, New York Times, 24 Sep. 2025
  • Springer should have reached base and drove in a pair of runs to give the Blue Jays the lead in the bottom of the second.
    Drew VonScio, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Free speech scholars maintain the most vile and reprehensible speech, including that which celebrates someone's death, is legally protected — not from the consequences meted by private employers, but from government suppression.
    Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 20 Sep. 2025
  • Continue reading … INSTANT KARMA – School administrator who made vile Kirk assassination comment no longer employed.
    , FOXNews.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Wilco’s prolific frontman has described his new triple LP as his humble effort to push back against the overwhelming darkness of life in the 2020s.
    Simon Vozick-Levinson, Rolling Stone, 22 Sep. 2025
  • Berkus uses a special ceramic jar to boost the storage of something as humble as Q-tips, for example.
    Miranda Crowell, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Economists have expressed similar concerns, arguing that the US economy’s success has been predicated on having an independent central bank, which helps instill confidence in domestic and foreign investors.
    Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Bargatze’s bit is predicated on the fact that most awards show speeches are self-indulgent, rambling tributes to other celebrities, which is fine.
    Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Base.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/base. Accessed 24 Sep. 2025.

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