debase
verb
[ dɪˈbeɪs ]
• reduce (something) in quality or value; degrade.
• "the love episodes debase the dignity of the drama"
Similar:
degrade,
devalue,
demean,
lower the status of,
reduce the status of,
cheapen,
prostitute,
discredit,
drag down,
drag through the mud,
tarnish,
blacken,
blemish,
disgrace,
dishonour,
shame,
bring shame to,
humble,
humiliate,
damage,
harm,
undermine,
• lower the value of (coinage) by reducing the content of precious metal.
• "the King was forced to debase the coinage"
Similar:
reduce in value,
reduce in quality,
contaminate,
adulterate,
pollute,
taint,
defile,
spoil,
foul,
sully,
depreciate,
corrupt,
bastardize,
dilute,
alloy,
vitiate,
Origin:
mid 16th century (in the sense ‘humiliate, belittle’): from de- ‘down’ + the obsolete verb base (compare with abase), expressing the notion ‘bring down completely’.
