debase

Verb
Synonyms: corruptpervertsubvertdemoralizedemoralisedebauchprofanevitiatedepravemisdirectalloyload

WordNet 3.0

Verb (3)

  1. corrupt morally or by intemperance or sensuality“debauch the young people with wine and women”“Socrates was accused of corrupting young men”“Do school counselors subvert young children?”“corrupt the morals”Synonyms: corruptpervertsubvertdemoralizedemoralisedebauchprofanevitiatedepravemisdirect
  2. lower in value by increasing the base-metal contentSynonyms: alloy
  3. corrupt, debase, or make impure by adding a foreign or inferior substance; often by replacing valuable ingredients with inferior ones“adulterate liquor”Synonyms: loadadulteratestretchdilute
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

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]

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