as in degradation
a sinking to a state of low moral standards and behavior
the debasement of professional sports to a shamelessly commercial enterprise
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Recent Examples of debasement
Gold in particular has been buoyed by a mix of geopolitical tensions, fiscal uncertainty and concerns over currency debasement, forces that many believe remain firmly in place.
—
Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 30 Jan. 2026
The debasement trade has gained momentum on speculation that US authorities might be willing to work with their Japanese counterparts to support the yen — and thereby are open to a weaker greenback.
—Marcus Wong, Bloomberg, 28 Jan. 2026
Powell did not directly address the longer-term debasement argument, but his emphasis on anchored expectations suggests the Fed sees little evidence that the gold rally reflects a fundamental erosion of monetary credibility.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 28 Jan. 2026
In this case, a life, however brief, that is clean and does not depend on the oppression and debasement of others.
—Ta-Nehisi Coates, Vanity Fair, 26 Jan. 2026
In that corner of the market, the debasement trade endured — less as a sweeping judgment on fiat, more as a focused bet on rates, policy and protection.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 29 Dec. 2025
Investor demand has also been underpinned by debasement trade, as concerns over swelling debt loads drive a retreat from sovereign bonds and the currencies they are issued in.
—Arkansas Online, 27 Dec. 2025
The immediate goal of this concerted information operation is the debasement of American Jews, but the more politically salient goal is the gaslighting of American evangelical Christians—the very core of the MAGA base, and an overwhelmingly pro-Jewish, pro-Israel constituency at that.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
Bailouts Government bailouts contribute to monetary debasement via the creation of new money, which dilutes the currency’s value and fuels inflation.
—Alex Pron, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 30 Jan. 2026
The debasement trade has gained momentum on speculation that US authorities might be willing to work with their Japanese counterparts to support the yen — and thereby are open to a weaker greenback.
—Marcus Wong, Bloomberg, 28 Jan. 2026
Powell did not directly address the longer-term debasement argument, but his emphasis on anchored expectations suggests the Fed sees little evidence that the gold rally reflects a fundamental erosion of monetary credibility.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 28 Jan. 2026
In this case, a life, however brief, that is clean and does not depend on the oppression and debasement of others.
—Ta-Nehisi Coates, Vanity Fair, 26 Jan. 2026
In that corner of the market, the debasement trade endured — less as a sweeping judgment on fiat, more as a focused bet on rates, policy and protection.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 29 Dec. 2025
Investor demand has also been underpinned by debasement trade, as concerns over swelling debt loads drive a retreat from sovereign bonds and the currencies they are issued in.
—Arkansas Online, 27 Dec. 2025
The immediate goal of this concerted information operation is the debasement of American Jews, but the more politically salient goal is the gaslighting of American evangelical Christians—the very core of the MAGA base, and an overwhelmingly pro-Jewish, pro-Israel constituency at that.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
Bailouts Government bailouts contribute to monetary debasement via the creation of new money, which dilutes the currency’s value and fuels inflation.
—Alex Pron, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debasement
Noun
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The cold can also freeze liquids, crack containers and prompt chemical degradation.—
Alexis Simmerman,
Austin American Statesman,
26 Jan. 2026
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Grave of the Fireflies is about the horrors and degradations of war.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The protests began in late December amid widespread anger over economic hardship, political repression and corruption, according to reports.—
Emma Bussey,
FOXNews.com,
28 Jan. 2026
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Yoon himself, as a prosecutor, helped bring down former President Park Geun-hye, who was imprisoned for corruption and abuse of power.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Debasement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debasement. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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