Definition

1. Verb (transitive):
   • To reduce or lower the value of something, especially a currency: The primary meaning refers to the official reduction of a currency's value relative to other currencies or gold.
   • To lessen the worth, importance, or esteem of something: It can also mean to diminish the perceived value or significance of a thing, idea, or person.

Examples of Usage

• Verb:
  • The government was forced to devaluate the national currency to address the trade deficit.
  • Allowing cheap imitations to flood the market can devaluate the brand's prestige.
  • He felt that constant criticism from his peers began to devaluate his contributions to the project.

Advanced Usage

• Economic Context: Often used in passive voice in formal reports.
  • The currency was devaluated by 15% against the dollar.
• Figurative Use: Applied to non-monetary concepts.
  • Overusing a powerful word can devaluate its emotional impact.

Variants and Related Words

• Devaluation (n): The act or instance of devaluating.
  • The sudden devaluation caused economic uncertainty.
• Devalue (v): A more common synonym with identical meaning.
  • The central bank may devalue the currency.

Synonyms

• Depreciate: To fall in value over time (often gradual or natural).
• Devalue: To reduce the value of (direct synonym).
• Debase: To reduce quality or value, often implying corruption.
• Diminish: To make or become less.

Antonyms

• Appreciate: To increase in value.
• Revalue: To increase the official value of a currency.
• Enhance: To improve the value or quality.

Related Phrases

• "To devaluate a currency": The standard phrase for official monetary policy.
  • The country decided to devaluate its currency to boost exports.
• "To devaluate oneself": To lower one's own self-worth or standards (figurative).
  • By accepting every criticism, she started to devaluate herself.

Verb

1. lose in value
   • The dollar depreciated again
2. remove the value from; deprive of its value