devalue

verb

de·​val·​ue (ˌ)dē-ˈval-(ˌ)yü 

devalued; devaluing; devalues

transitive verb

1

: to institute the devaluation of (money)

2

: to lessen the value of

intransitive verb

: to institute devaluation

Synonyms

• reduce

Examples of devalue in a Sentence

The government has decided to devalue its currency.

Economic woes forced the government to devalue.

He argues that placing too many requirements on schools devalues the education they provide.

Recent Examples on the Web

At the same time, wins that suddenly don’t look so good get devalued. —Chris Vannini, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025

There’s a common misconception that automation devalues human work—or that AI will simply put everyone out of work. —Shyam Ravindranathan, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025

Individuals are seen as fully responsible for their own fates, while governmental or social support systems are devalued. —Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 8 Sep. 2025

In the current format, labeling the FedEx Cup winner as the tour champion devalues a season’s worth of play. —Sheldon H. Jacobson, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1918, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for devalue

• accrue
• ado
• ainu
• aircrew
• airscrew
• anew
• askew
• baboo
• babu
• bamboo
• beaucoup
• bijou

Legal Definition

devalue

transitive verb

de·​val·​ue (ˌ)dē-ˈval-(ˌ)yü 

devalued; devaluing

1

: to institute the devaluation of (money)

2

: to lessen the value of

devaluing assets