Definition

1. Adverb:
   • In a despicable, ignoble, or morally low manner: "basely" describes an action performed with a lack of honor, integrity, or nobility. It implies behavior that is contemptible, mean-spirited, or servile.

Examples of Usage

• Adverb:
  • He acted basely by betraying his closest friend for personal gain.
  • The informant basely provided false testimony to avoid punishment.
  • They were accused of basely abandoning their principles when faced with pressure.

Advanced Usage

• "to behave basely": to act in a morally reprehensible way.
  • The official behaved basely, accepting bribes from contractors.
• "to treat someone basely": to treat someone with contemptible disrespect or cruelty.
  • The captors treated their prisoners basely, denying them basic necessities.

Variants and Related Words

• Base (adj): lacking moral principles; ignoble.
  • His base motives were clear to everyone.
• Baseness (n): the quality of being ignoble or contemptible.
  • The baseness of the crime shocked the community.

Synonyms

• Despicably: in a manner deserving hatred and contempt.
• Ignobly: in a manner not honorable in character or purpose.
• Contemptibly: in a manner deserving scorn.
• Meanly: in a petty, ungenerous, or small-minded way.

Related Phrases

• To stoop basely: to lower oneself to dishonorable actions.
  • He stooped basely to spread rumors about his rival.
• To act from base motives: to be driven by selfish, immoral reasons.
  • The charity was a front; he acted from base motives all along.

Adverb

1. in a despicable, ignoble manner
   • this new leader meanly threatens the deepest values of our society