Synonyms of cheapen

cheapen

verb

ˈchē-pən 

1

as in to reduce

to diminish the price or value of

a glutted market cheapened cranberries to the point where they were selling for less than what it cost to grow them

Synonyms & Similar Words

• reduce
• devalue
• depress
• lower
• depreciate
• devaluate
• attenuate
• sink
• shrink
• downgrade
• write down
• mark down
• write off
• debase
• break
• undervalue
• underestimate
• underrate
• lessen
• underprice
• compress
• abridge
• dwindle
• demonetize
• deflate
• downsize
• moderate
• contract
• de-escalate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• enhance
• appreciate
• upgrade
• inflate
• mark up
• increase
• add
• blow up
• overestimate
• extend
• expand
• augment
• maximize
• heighten
• amplify
• enlarge
• raise
• multiply
• boost
• escalate
• bloat
• swell
• overrate
• dilate
• overvalue
• overprice
• aggrandize
• compound
• up
• balloon

2

as in to degrade

to lower in character, dignity, or quality

a politician who would cheapen herself by caving in to lobbyists

Synonyms & Similar Words

• degrade
• weaken
• subvert
• humiliate
• demean
• dilute
• deteriorate
• debase
• corrupt
• poison
• destroy
• lessen
• ruin
• bastardize
• pervert
• debauch
• vitiate
• damage
• disgrace
• pollute
• mar
• deprave
• prostitute
• abase
• demoralize
• hurt
• shame
• taint
• contaminate
• impair
• humble
• warp
• profane
• dirty
• harm
• spoil
• canker
• dishonor
• tarnish
• thin
• defile
• wreck
• water down
• flaw
• depreciate
• befoul
• stain
• begrime
• deface
• descend
• take down
• downgrade
• blemish

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• elevate
• improve
• honor
• better
• uplift
• enhance
• exalt
• ennoble
• enrich
• perfect
• amend
• ameliorate
• dignify
• restore
• refine
• clarify
• clean
• purify
• respect
• cleanse
• meliorate

3

as in to humiliate

to reduce to a lower standing in one's own eyes or in others' eyes

she really cheapens herself by shamelessly pursuing men like that

Synonyms & Similar Words

• humiliate
• discredit
• embarrass
• degrade
• demean
• shame
• debase
• humble
• confuse
• disgrace
• dishonor
• insult
• diminish
• rattle
• abase
• take down
• lower
• detract
• criticize
• chasten
• minimize
• disparage
• smirch
• belittle
• foul
• sink
• depreciate
• mortify
• ridicule
• disconcert
• faze
• confound
• defame
• decry
• discount
• condemn
• malign
• discountenance
• libel
• defile
• slander
• affront
• discomfit
• castigate
• write off
• fluster
• abash
• denounce
• bad-mouth
• put down
• cry down
• nonplus
• damn
• censure
• execrate
• reprehend
• reprobate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• elevate
• exalt
• aggrandize
• honor
• commend
• celebrate
• recognize
• applaud
• boast
• compliment
• deify
• canonize
• acknowledge
• congratulate
• tout
• cite
• praise
• laud
• decorate
• extol
• cheer
• salute
• eulogize
• highlight
• hail
• acclaim
• promote
• glorify
• ennoble
• fete
• dignify
• magnify
• enshrine
• raise
• advance
• lift
• boost
• play up
• uplift
• upgrade
• spotlight
• enthrone
• romanticize
• idealize
• ensky

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of cheapen

Acknowledging and even criticizing our mistakes of the past doesn’t cheapen one’s love for the United States. — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026

My wish also is that soloists cease all their vocal theatrics, which only distort and cheapen the solemn rendition of our anthem. — Chicago Tribune, 27 June 2026

Yes, there will be some, like Cawley, who believe that Marsch’s sideline theatrics are a distraction and cheapen Canada’s results. — Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 24 June 2026

Ignoring Proportions Furnishings and decor that are the wrong size for the space immediately cheapen the look of it, LaMarque says. — Shagun Khare, The Spruce, 29 May 2026