1
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of debase
Daniel Immerwahr, The New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2025
Only by allowing himself to be debased can this man actually come to understand God.
—Kevin Lincoln, Vulture, 20 Jan. 2025
The sense of disharmony is immediate: a familiar scene of youth and learning is grimly debased into one of peril.
—Kyle Chayka, The New Yorker, 19 Jan. 2025
By that time – perhaps only a decade from now, perhaps longer – the dollar may have been debased so badly that one bitcoin might be priced at $1 trillion or more.
—Dave Birnbaum, Forbes, 24 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for debase
Verb
His illuminating backstage account of cable news describes thoughtful journalists debasing themselves in their scramble to retain straying viewers.
—Daniel Immerwahr, The New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2025
Only by allowing himself to be debased can this man actually come to understand God.
—Kevin Lincoln, Vulture, 20 Jan. 2025
The sense of disharmony is immediate: a familiar scene of youth and learning is grimly debased into one of peril.
—Kyle Chayka, The New Yorker, 19 Jan. 2025
By that time – perhaps only a decade from now, perhaps longer – the dollar may have been debased so badly that one bitcoin might be priced at $1 trillion or more.
—Dave Birnbaum, Forbes, 24 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for debase
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debase
Verb
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Placing the wrong items in the recycling bin can damage recycling equipment or degrade the recycling process.—
Nafeesah Allen,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 May 2025
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Trump stated that the Houthis requested the ceasefire after his administration had successfully degraded the group's capabilities.—
Amira El-Fekki,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 May 2025
Verb
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In a display of brute aggression, cartel operatives humiliated Mexican officials by forcing the government to release Mr. Guzmán López shortly after he was captured.—
Alan Feuer,
New York Times,
7 May 2025
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But in Trump’s White House, the goal may be simpler—and harder: not getting humiliated.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
5 May 2025
Noun
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The rule of thumb is not to exceed an image scale of around 1920 x 1080, as this will result in an overall degradation of your image.—
Josh Dury,
Space.com,
30 Apr. 2025
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This approach not only benefits the environment by reducing chemical runoff and soil degradation but also yields cleaner cannabis products.—
Matt Rozo,
Mercury News,
23 Apr. 2025
Verb
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This opens the door to whole new fields of enterprise, ethical and criminal, involving influencing the actions of—or simply subverting—AI agents.—
Bernard Marr,
Forbes.com,
12 May 2025
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The Incoherent Case for Tariffs Trump’s fixation on economic coercion will subvert his economic goals.—
Antony J. Blinken,
Foreign Affairs,
6 May 2025
Verb
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The attempts to discredit women like Ventura discount the reality of their lives, Gee said.—
Lisa Respers France,
CNN Money,
13 May 2025
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But in a possible attempt to discredit Pryor, her name and some details of her confidential complaint, available only to the mayor, commissioners and senior city employees, have been circulated publicly.—
Steve Bousquet,
Sun Sentinel,
10 May 2025
Noun
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The Boston City Council will take up a resolution this week that calls for disgraced Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson’s removal from the body in the wake of her guilty plea to two federal corruption charges tied to a City Hall kickback scheme.—
Gayla Cawley,
Boston Herald,
13 May 2025
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However, rumors swirled about his luxury lifestyle and possible corruption and eventually led to federal charges in 2007.—
David Matthews,
New York Daily News,
12 May 2025
Verb
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Others may develop it after pregnancy, as the muscles and ligaments around the uterus can loosen or weaken.—
Brandi Jones,
Health,
10 May 2025
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This weakens their ability to tailor experiences and erodes marketing efficiency.—
Amit Jhawar,
Forbes.com,
9 May 2025
Verb
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Black Sun is set in the time of an uninhabitable drought and follows Kai, who struggles with his retracting genital and his wife, Ling, who demeans him with this impotency.—
Sara Merican,
Deadline,
16 May 2025
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What once was used to demean us became a subversive tool for resistance throughout the diaspora.—
Taryn Finley,
Refinery29,
1 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Debase.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debase. Accessed 21 May. 2025.
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