debase

Debase, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Debased; p. pr. & vb. n. Debasing.]

Etymology: [Pref. de- + base. See Base, a., and cf. Abase.]

To reduce from a higher to a lower state or grade of worth, dignity, purity, station, etc.; to degrade; to lower; to deteriorate; to abase; as, to debase the character by crime; to debase the mind by frivolity; to debase style by vulgar words. The coin which was adulterated and debased. Hale. It is a kind of taking God's name in vain to debase religion with such frivolous disputes. Hooker. And to debase the sons, exalts the sires. Pope.

Syn. -- To abase; degrade. See Abase.

Shades of meaning

Fernald has no entry of its own for debase; he lists it under abase.

Where he writes about it:

Debase applies to quality or character. — from abase

Misfortune or injustice may abase the good; nothing but their own ill-doing can debase or disgrace them. — from abase

Synonyms

abase bring low cast down degrade depress discredit disgrace dishonor humble humiliate lower reduce sink

Antonyms

advance aggrandize amend cleanse dignify elevate exalt honor promote raise uplift

etymology Webster’s online