debasing
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- 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
- used of conduct; characterized by dishonor