debased

American  

[dih-beyst] / dɪˈbeɪst /

adjective

1. lowered in quality, character, or value.

   Part of the reason for the rise in commodities and oil is the debased dollar.

   Even in the debased conditions of wartime, people had dreams of a beautiful future.

2. lowered in rank, dignity, or significance.

   In the 1800s, many people considered show business to be a debased profession.

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verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of debase.

Other Word Forms

• debasedness noun
• undebased adjective

Etymology

Origin of debased

debase ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

There will be a new ball this season, the Nike Flight, which is "built with Aerowsculpt technology with grooves debased into the casing, to allow air to travel seamlessly around the ball, delivering truer flight".

From BBC • Aug. 15, 2024

“He was a man who debased other human beings,” he said.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 24, 2023

Some illustrious “main characters” shot for the moon; some just debased themselves.

From Slate • Dec. 28, 2022

The burden of being publicly debased felt a tiny bit lighter because she understood how humiliated I felt.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 21, 2022

Fearing the worst, the debased tlatoani made a begging public appearance on behalf of the Spanish.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann