Library / English Dictionary

DEBASE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Corrupt, debase, or make impure by adding a foreign or inferior substance; often by replacing valuable ingredients with inferior ones

Example:

adulterate liquor

Synonyms:

adulterate; debase; dilute; load; stretch

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Hypernyms (to "debase" is one way to...):

corrupt; spoil (alter from the original)

Verb group:

extend; stretch (increase in quantity or bulk by adding a cheaper substance)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "debase"):

water down (thin by adding water to)

doctor; doctor up; sophisticate (alter and make impure, as with the intention to deceive)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Derivation:

debasement (being mixed with extraneous material; the product of adulterating)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Lower in value by increasing the base-metal content

Synonyms:

alloy; debase

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Hypernyms (to "debase" is one way to...):

devalue (lower the value or quality of)

Domain category:

metallurgy (the science and technology of metals)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Derivation:

debaser (a person who lowers the quality or character or value (as by adding cheaper metal to coins))

Sense 3

Meaning:

Corrupt morally or by intemperance or sensuality

Example:

corrupt the morals

Synonyms:

corrupt; debase; debauch; demoralise; demoralize; deprave; misdirect; pervert; profane; subvert; vitiate

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Hypernyms (to "debase" is one way to...):

alter; change; modify (cause to change; make different; cause a transformation)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "debase"):

carnalise; carnalize; sensualise; sensualize (debase through carnal gratification)

infect (corrupt with ideas or an ideology)

lead astray; lead off (teach immoral behavior to)

poison (spoil as if by poison)

bastardise; bastardize (change something so that its value declines; for example, art forms)

suborn (incite to commit a crime or an evil deed)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody

Derivation:

debasement (changing to a lower state (a less respected state))

Credits