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 131 items are worth about $40 billion, or around 24% of Chinese imports from the U.S. in 2024, Bloomberg calculations based on China customs data show. Arkansas Online, 3 May 2025 Servite still has a good chance to get an at-large berth based on its strong power rankings. Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 3 May 2025
Noun
The base of each chair is 25 inches by 24.5 inches, the loveseat is 43 inches wide, and the table is 35.6 inches wide. Clint Davis, People.com, 3 May 2025 And to make room for shipbuilding purposes, the bill would also expand the U.S. shipyard industrial base for both military and commercial oceangoing vessels by establishing a 25 percent investment tax credit for shipyard investments. Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 2 May 2025
Adjective
The agency is paying base monthly rent of $4.15 per square foot for the first 12 months of the 15-year lease, or $4.3 million in total. Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 2025 The old color is removed; the cuticles are cleaned; the nails are shaped; and a base coat is applied before adding layers of color and a final top coat. Irene Coltrinari, Vogue, 4 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for base
Recent Examples of Synonyms for base
Verb
  • Betts grounded into a fielder’s choice and reached via an error on a should-have-been 6-3 putout.
    Benjamin Royer, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2025
  • This question grounds the decision in reality and reduces the risk of overextending.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
Noun
  • Max Meyer then walked Miguel Vargas to load the bases and was replaced by Ronny Henriquez, who walked Matt Thaiss on four pitches to bring in a run.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 10 May 2025
  • When Harry and his wife Meghan departed the UK in 2020 and gave up their royal duties, the then Queen Elizabeth, Harry’s grandmother clarified that the pair would have ongoing personal security arranged on an ad-hoc basis reviewed each time.
    Caroline Frost, Deadline, 10 May 2025
Noun
  • The camp includes faculty performances and a final student recital.
    Eric E. Harrison, Arkansas Online, 3 May 2025
  • According to a police statement, a contractor hired to open a seasonal camp in the town came across the car, which was stuck on a camp road.
    Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 3 May 2025
Noun
  • Installing new modern hardware and software for all air traffic facilities to create a common platform system throughout towers, TRACONs and centers.
    Zach Wichter, USA Today, 9 May 2025
  • Wires from Singapore Rodriguez was one of several donors to quickly reached out to the center after Buffett first announced the initiative in the company’s annual shareholder letter released in February.
    Alex Harring, CNBC, 8 May 2025
Noun
  • There’s a camera grip that also attaches to the bottom of the case to turn the whole setup into something resembling a camera.
    Ben Sin, Forbes.com, 4 May 2025
  • So City essentially had three stacks of two — Bernardo and Kovacic at the bottom with Grealish and Lewis in front of them, forming a square or box.
    Sam Lee, New York Times, 3 May 2025
Adjective
  • Twain’s early writing and private letters and diaries contain vile language and sentiments.
    Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 9 May 2025
  • The Imperial City Sewers you’re meant to traverse while learning the basics of the game look hideous and vile.
    Jamal Michel, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Netflix 19 of 20 A Tale of Two Kitchens (2019) The modest length of this short — which clocks in at 30 minutes — reflects its humble attitude.
    Katie Rife, EW.com, 11 May 2025
  • Flatten It Out Sea turtles don't have much mobility on land, and even the humblest sand structure can be a major obstacle to nesting females making their way across the sand or to hatchlings heading back toward the water.
    Katie Akin, Southern Living, 10 May 2025
Verb
  • Much is predicated on their starting rotation, which remains near-flawless this season, and their stagnant offense being able to scratch across a few runs.
    Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 15 May 2025
  • As a result, his fastball has always been predicated on eye-popping velocity — requiring elite radar-gun readings to blow opponents away.
    Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Base.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/base. Accessed 20 May. 2025.

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