debase
Strip of dignity
To debase something is to lower its quality, value, or character.
Currency is debased by reducing precious metal content or printing more of it.
A person debases themselves through undignified behavior: He wouldn't debase himself by responding to the accusations.
The word often implies corruption of something once pure or worthy: debasing the political process with personal attacks.
Make impure
- contaminateMake unclean or unsafe
- polluteMake impure harmfully
- adulterateCorrupt by adding impurities
- vitiateTo invalidate or debase
pervert · defile · poison · spoil · impure · debauch · bastardize · profane
Lower in standing
- devalueReduce perceived worth
- lowerReduce or move downward
- cheapenDiminish in worth
- diminishTo make smaller
depreciate · downgrade · reduce · lessen · belittle · denigrate · disparage · deprecate
Loss of honor
- shamePainful awareness of failure
- humiliateCause painful shame
- discreditHarm another's reputation
- dishonorLoss of respect
sully · tarnish · besmirch · stain · smear · blacken · blot · stigmatize
Fill with gas
- deflateRelease air from
- devalueReduce perceived worth
- depreciateLose value over time
- weakenReduce in strength
destabilize · clip · shave · counterfeit · dilute · adulterate · alloy · monetary
taint
Make impure
- contaminateMake unclean or unsafe
- polluteMake impure harmfully
- adulterateCorrupt by adding impurities
vitiate · pervert · defile · poison · spoil · impure · debauch · bastardize · profane · desecrate
demean
Lower in standing
diminish · depreciate · downgrade · reduce · lessen · belittle · denigrate · disparage · deprecate · declass
disgrace
Loss of honor
dishonor · sully · tarnish · besmirch · stain · smear · blacken · blot · stigmatize · defame
inflate
Fill with gas
- deflateRelease air from
- devalueReduce perceived worth
- depreciateLose value over time
weaken · destabilize · clip · shave · counterfeit · dilute · adulterate · alloy · monetary · depreciation
- currency debasementReducing money's intrinsic worth
debasement, debased, debasing, debaser, debases, debasements