Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Lowering in quality, value, or character; degrading: Describing something that reduces the moral, intellectual, or qualitative standard of a person, thing, or activity.
   • Characterized by dishonor: Specifically used of conduct that brings shame or disrepute, often by lowering dignity or moral principles.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • The dictator's debasing propaganda aimed to control the population. (The propaganda was of a type that lowered the people's moral and intellectual standards.)
  • He was accused of debasing conduct for accepting bribes. (His conduct was characterized by dishonor.)
  • Many critics saw the film as a debasing influence on culture. (The film was seen as having a degrading effect.)

Advanced Usage

• "in a debasing manner": performing an action in a way that degrades or dishonors.
  • The captured soldiers were treated in a debasing manner.
• Used to describe processes or actions that corrupt purity or integrity.
  • The debasing of the currency led to widespread inflation. (Here, 'debasing' is a gerund/noun form derived from the verb 'debase', meaning the act of reducing the value.)

Variants and Related Words

• Debase (verb): To reduce in quality, value, or dignity; to corrupt.
  • Counterfeiters debase the currency.
• Debasement (noun): The act or process of debasing; the state of being debased.
  • The debasement of political discourse is concerning.

Synonyms

• Degrading: Causing a loss of self-respect; humiliating.
• Demeaning: Causing someone to lose dignity or respect.
• Corrupting: Causing to become morally depraved.
• Disgraceful: Deserving or causing public disgrace; shameful.

Antonyms

• Elevating: Raising to a higher moral, intellectual, or cultural level.
• Ennobling: Giving a greater nobility of character to.
• Honorable: Deserving honor and respect.

Related Phrases and Concepts

• Debasing the coinage: A historical and economic term for reducing the precious metal content in coins, thereby lowering their intrinsic value.
• While not a phrasal verb, the adjective often modifies nouns like , , , , , and .

Adjective

1. used of conduct; characterized by dishonor