debase
To lower in character, quality, or valueTo lower in character, quality, or value; to degrade.
» You will debase yourself with such behavior.
Du setzt dich selbst herab mit einem solchen Verhalten.
Mit einem solchen Verhalten setzen Sie sich selbst herab.
Meaning
3 senses(transitive)To lower in character, quality, or value; to degrade.
erniedrigen, entwürdigen, herabsetzen
унижатьunižatʹ
lower in value by increasing the base-metal content
(transitive)To lower the value of (a currency) by reducing the amount of valuable metal in the coins.
(archaic, transitive)To lower in position or rank.
Examples
5 sentencesYou will debase yourself with such behavior.
deDu setzt dich selbst herab mit einem solchen Verhalten. — Tamy
Why would you debase yourself like that?
Authority corrupts its holder and debases its victims.
ruВласть развращает имеющего ее и унижает своих жертв. — xmoffx
deDie Autorität korrumpiert ihren Besitzer und erniedrigt ihre Opfer. — Yorwba
Believe me, Tom, it's not possible for you to debase yourself.
We cannot, as a government, debase ourselves to the level of the criminals that we punish.
Translations
6 languagesBy meaning 1
By meaning 1
Origin
From de- + base, from Old French bas, from Latin bassus. Cognate with Spanish debajo (“undFrom de- + base, from Old French bas, from Latin bassus. Cognate with Spanish debajo (“under, beneath, below”). Compare abase.
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Forms
debases, debasing, debased, debasedSynonyms
53 synonyms- lower in value by increasing the base-metal content:alloy
- corrupt, debase, or make impure by adding a foreign or inferior substance; often by replacing valuable ingredients with inferior ones:loadadulteratestretchdilute
- corrupt morally or by intemperance or sensuality:corruptpervertsubvertdemoralizedemoralisedebauchprofanevitiate
Antonyms
2 antonymsWord family
6 related wordsLessons for this word
3 lessons- A1Present simple — Because it is a verb
- A1Past simple, regular verbs — Because of its past form
- A2Present perfect: introduction — Because of its past participle