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
  • After the Ethiopia crash, 737 Max jets were grounded worldwide until the company redesigned the system.
    arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 13 July 2025
Noun
  • The price-to-earnings ratio of 17.2 trades below the S&P 500’s 26.9, suggesting the stock may be attractively valued on an earnings basis.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
  • And buyouts mean that towns’ tax bases decrease, bringing in less money to apply to future floods.
    John Seabrook, New Yorker, 21 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
  • Every year, the DDC Boot Buddy reveal takes place during the fourth and final stage of the audition process: training camp.
    Skyler Caruso, People.com, 15 July 2025
Noun
  • Community amenities include a parking garage, a resort-style pool, pet park, fitness center with a yoga and pilates studio, resident clubhouse and co-working space.
    Corina Vanek, AZCentral.com, 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
  • Here's which other states are at the bottom of the list.
    Allison Kiehl, Nashville Tennessean, 15 July 2025
  • The attorney said that, after police arrived, there was a low-speed collision, Byron Jackson and an officer ended up at the bottom of a ravine and the South Carolina resident was handcuffed.
    Tesfaye Negussie, ABC News, 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
  • Both Dunn’s and Watt’s stories exemplify two former standout NFL players who reached the pinnacle of their professions yet never forgot their humble beginnings, continuing to remain empathetic and grounded.
    Mark LaSota, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025
  • Others presented someone humble and open about their limitations.
    Lauren Keating, Scientific American, 21 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 25 Jul. 2025.

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