də̇ˈbās, dēˈ- transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: de- + base (low, vile); after abase
1. obsolete : to lower in esteem by verbal attack : disparage , vilify
2. : to lower in status or esteem
debase himself by physical labor
: put to a low or inferior use
a style debased by many imitators
3. : to lower the quality or character of : cause to deteriorate
struggle with Hannibal had … debased the Roman temper — John Buchan
4.
a. : to reduce the intrinsic value of (a coin) by increasing the base-metal content
b. : to reduce the exchange value of (a monetary unit) : depreciate
Synonyms:
vitiate , deprave , corrupt , debauch , pervert : debase indicates a drastic and regrettable lowering in worth, value, and dignity and a loss of fine or good qualities
the human values cruelly and systematically debased by the Nazis — Vera M. Dean
Strachey's attitude toward a respected historical figure and his new techniques were soon debased by a school of so-called debunking biographers — J.D.Hart
vitiate is applicable to the introduction or effect of something deleterious and the ensuing destruction of purity, impairment of validity, or enervation of effectiveness
party jealousies vitiated the whole military organization — Times Literary Supplement
his endless muttering vitiated every effort I made to think out a line of action — H.G.Wells
deprave indicates moral deterioration into the obscene and vicious
the servants, wicked and depraved, corrupt and deprave the children; the children are bad, full of evil, to a sinister degree — Henry James †1916
corrupt indicates bringing about a loss of soundness, purity, and integrity
at sixteen the girl was further corrupted by a “perverse and wicked” young man — Edmund Wilson
the ballot box, corrupted, no longer recorded the voice of the people — Oscar Handlin
to corrupt their taste first and try to purify it afterwards — Bertrand Russell
debauch usually suggests corrupting and vulgarizing through sensual pleasure or other indulgence with loss of sense of morality, loyalty, duty, integrity, and resolution
she takes them to an enchanted isle, where she debauches them with enervating delights and renders them oblivious to their duty — R.A.Hall b. 1911
readers debauched by sentimental and romantic liberalism and naturalism — Douglas Bush
pervert suggests a debasing twisting or contorting into an untrue or abnormal condition
those who pervert good words to careless misuse may be thought more often ludicrous than harmful — J.M.Barzun
those who pervert honest criticism into falsification of fact — F.D.Roosevelt
sexually perverted during his term in prison