Synonyms of debases

debases

verb

present tense third-person singular of debase

1

as in degrades

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

• degrades
• weakens
• corrupts
• subverts
• humiliates
• demeans
• deteriorates
• dilutes
• debauches
• destroys
• poisons
• cheapens
• perverts
• prostitutes
• lessens
• vitiates
• abases
• demoralizes
• depraves
• pollutes
• disgraces
• bastardizes
• damages
• profanes
• taints
• shames
• ruins
• warps
• impairs
• humbles
• mars
• hurts
• contaminates
• harms
• thins
• dishonors
• defiles
• cankers
• tarnishes
• dirties
• wrecks
• flaws
• spoils
• waters down
• befouls
• descends
• defaces
• depreciates
• stains
• begrimes
• downgrades
• takes down
• blemishes

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ennobles
• elevates
• uplifts
• exalts
• improves
• enhances
• dignifies
• honors
• enriches
• amends
• restores
• ameliorates
• perfects
• refines
• clarifies
• cleans
• purifies
• betters
• respects
• cleanses
• meliorates

2

as in humiliates

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

• humiliates
• discredits
• degrades
• embarrasses
• demeans
• shames
• humbles
• dishonors
• disgraces
• confuses
• cheapens
• abases
• lowers
• chastens
• rattles
• insults
• diminishes
• criticizes
• ridicules
• detracts
• takes down
• belittles
• disparages
• minimizes
• fouls
• mortifies
• sinks
• disconcerts
• depreciates
• maligns
• smirches
• decries
• confounds
• defames
• discomfits
• defiles
• condemns
• castigates
• flusters
• slanders
• denounces
• discountenances
• fazes
• discounts
• affronts
• libels
• writes off
• abashes
• bad-mouths
• damns
• nonpluses
• censures
• cries down
• puts down
• execrates
• reprehends
• reprobates

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• exalts
• elevates
• deifies
• aggrandizes
• cites
• celebrates
• recognizes
• commends
• acknowledges
• extols
• applauds
• decorates
• canonizes
• boasts
• honors
• lauds
• praises
• salutes
• hails
• congratulates
• cheers
• eulogizes
• touts
• compliments
• acclaims
• ennobles
• highlights
• dignifies
• promotes
• fetes
• glorifies
• enshrines
• magnifies
• spotlights
• advances
• enthrones
• lifts
• plays up
• uplifts
• raises
• boosts
• idealizes
• romanticizes
• upgrades
• enskies

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of debases

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

In a new Instagram post shared on Tuesday, the composer behind the HBO show’s memorable soundtrack described an industry that debases its own art and the people who make it for the sake of consumerism. — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 17 Mar. 2026

Freddy Krueger debases the suburban American ideal through the dreams of teenagers in Nightmare on Elm Street. — Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 29 Sep. 2025