DEBASE Synonyms: 160 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'debase' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of debase are corrupt , debauch , deprave , pervert , and vitiate . While all these words mean "to cause deterioration or lowering in quality or character," debase implies a loss of position, worth, value, or dignity. // commercialism has debased the holiday

Q: In what contexts can 'corrupt' take the place of 'debase'?

The words corrupt and debase can be used in similar contexts, but corrupt implies loss of soundness, purity, or integrity. // the belief that bureaucratese corrupts the language

Q: When is it sensible to use 'debauch' instead of 'debase'?

The words debauch and debase are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, debauch implies a debasing through sensual indulgence. // the long stay on a tropical isle had debauched the ship's crew

Q: Where would 'deprave' be a reasonable alternative to 'debase'?

While in some cases nearly identical to debase , deprave implies moral deterioration by evil thoughts or influences. // the claim that society is depraved by pornography

Q: When would 'pervert' be a good substitute for 'debase'?

The meanings of pervert and debase largely overlap; however, pervert implies a twisting or distorting from what is natural or normal. // perverted the original goals of the institute

Q: When is 'vitiate' a more appropriate choice than 'debase'?

While the synonyms vitiate and debase are close in meaning, vitiate implies a destruction of purity, validity, or effectiveness by allowing entrance of a fault or defect. // a foreign policy vitiated by partisanship

debase

verb

di-ˈbās

Definition of debase

as in to degrade

to lower in character, dignity, or quality we debase ourselves when we adopt the moral code and behavior of our despised enemies

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to humiliate

to reduce to a lower standing in one's own eyes or in others' eyes our failure to win a single game completely debased us

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word debase different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of debase are corrupt, debauch, deprave, pervert, and vitiate. While all these words mean "to cause deterioration or lowering in quality or character," debase implies a loss of position, worth, value, or dignity.

commercialism has debased the holiday

In what contexts can corrupt take the place of debase?

The words corrupt and debase can be used in similar contexts, but corrupt implies loss of soundness, purity, or integrity.

the belief that bureaucratese corrupts the language

When is it sensible to use debauch instead of debase?

The words debauch and debase are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, debauch implies a debasing through sensual indulgence.

the long stay on a tropical isle had debauched the ship's crew

Where would deprave be a reasonable alternative to debase?

While in some cases nearly identical to debase, deprave implies moral deterioration by evil thoughts or influences.

the claim that society is depraved by pornography

When would pervert be a good substitute for debase?

The meanings of pervert and debase largely overlap; however, pervert implies a twisting or distorting from what is natural or normal.

perverted the original goals of the institute

When is vitiate a more appropriate choice than debase?

While the synonyms vitiate and debase are close in meaning, vitiate implies a destruction of purity, validity, or effectiveness by allowing entrance of a fault or defect.

a foreign policy vitiated by partisanship

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 debase The bulk of these are in regions like Africa and South America, where governments have repeatedly debased national currencies, and prompted their citizens to seek out sturdier assets like Tether’s dollar and gold offerings instead. — Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 17 Aug. 2026 After seeing corrupt cops rewarded with medals and politics debase his best friend, now the courts can’t even be trusted to perform their solemn duty. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 2 Aug. 2026 Look at how much the city had debased this pilgrim in six months, a year. — David Hajdu, The Atlantic, 16 July 2026 In order to emerge victorious in his quest to bring the World Cup to Mexico, De la Torre debases himself and backstabs shamelessly. — Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for debase

Recent Examples of Synonyms for debase

Verb

Neither of those seats was a Democratic target at the start of this election cycle, but both races saw later investment as the environment appeared to degrade for Republicans.

— David Weigel, semafor.com, 4 Nov. 2026
The experiments will test whether the reactor’s exhaust system can endure the punishment of such high-performance plasma without degrading.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of degrade

Verb

From the very start, the students assigned as guards went on cruel power trips and repeatedly humiliated — if not psychologically tortured — the inmates, to the point that some of the prisoners suffered nervous breakdowns.

— Frank Landymore, Futurism, 29 Oct. 2026
The Packers come off an angry loss while the Panthers were humiliated on Sunday.

— Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of humiliate

Verb

With the industry-wide chain-of-trust mechanism subverted, the malware was able to run malicious code before Windows was fully loaded and many security defenses were operational.

— Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 3 Nov. 2026
Liu had the idea to subvert his parents’ roles after finding his father’s wedding suit from 1984.

— Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of subvert

Verb

In his closing arguments Monday, Nov 2, attorney Ian Winter worked to discredit and downplay the six women whose allegations anchor the criminal case against Brand (via Sky News).

— Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 2 Nov. 2026
With the midterms now days away, the complaint is part of an urgent effort to discredit Peltola in a must-win Senate race that could easily determine the upper chamber’s majority.

— Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of discredit

Verb

The regime remains capable of suppressing any organized resistance in the country, but the growing disaffection of the elite threatens to weaken the state from within.

— Jieun Baek, Foreign Affairs, 30 Oct. 2026
Eisenkot's allies could also try to reverse legislation advanced by Netanyahu's government that critics say weakened Israel's democratic institutions and judicial independence.

— Itay Stern, NPR, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of weaken

Verb

At the time, the league said there were no immediate eligibility matters affecting the WNBA and condemned attempts to use the subject to demean or marginalize others.

— Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026
The Democratic National Committee has also sued over the ads, which show numerous images of the president overlaid with quotes from recent speeches demeaning communism while also crediting himself for the largest tax cuts in history.

— Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of demean

Verb

Just as bright, witty, and debauched as their namesake, this unique protagonist is on a path of self-discovery, gaining insight into not just their gender identity, but also their preternatural attraction to transgression and risk.

— Judy Berman, Time, 8 July 2026
And regular Kate Moss’s turn on the decks one memorable, and debauched, night in 2015 had revelers literally swinging from the chandeliers.

— Nick Scott, Robb Report, 13 June 2026

Definition of debauch

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debars

debase

debased

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“Debase.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debase. Accessed 7 Nov. 2026.

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