The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Debase \De*base"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Debased; p. pr. & vb.
   n. Debasing.] [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.
   [1913 Webster]

         The coin which was adulterated and debased. --Hale.
   [1913 Webster]

         It is a kind of taking God's name in vain to debase
         religion with such frivolous disputes.   --Hooker.
   [1913 Webster]

         And to debase the sons, exalts the sires. --Pope.

   Syn: To abase; degrade. See Abase.
        [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

debasing
    adj 1: used of conduct; characterized by dishonor [syn:
           debasing, degrading]