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Debasement Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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debasement

[dษชหˆbeษชsmษ™nt ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

financial

The act of reducing the value or quality of something, especially currency or reputation.

Synonyms

corruption, degradation, impairment.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
debasement

Used to indicate a lowering in quality or value, often in a moral or ethical context.

  • The debasement of the currency led to inflation.
  • He spoke about the moral debasement of politics today.
degradation

Refers to a decline to a lower condition, quality, or level. Often used in environmental or social contexts.

  • Soil degradation is a major concern in agriculture.
  • The degradation of urban areas can lead to increased crime.
corruption

Commonly associated with unethical or illegal behavior, particularly in politics or business.

  • The mayor was arrested on charges of corruption.
  • Corruption in the company led to its downfall.
impairment

Describes a reduction in function or ability, often used in medical or technical contexts.

  • Hearing impairment can affect communication skills.
  • The software is designed to assist users with visual impairment.

Examples of usage

  • The debasement of the currency led to hyperinflation.
  • His debasement of his own reputation was due to his unethical behavior.
Context #2 | Noun

social

The state of being lowered in character or quality.

Synonyms

degradation, disgrace, humiliation.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
debasement

This term is often used to describe the reduction in value or quality of something, especially in a moral or ethical sense. It can apply to both objects and people, particularly in contexts of ethical decline.

  • The debasement of the currency led to economic instability.
  • His involvement in the scandal resulted in the debasement of his reputation.
degradation

Degradation is commonly used to describe a process of decline or decay. This can relate to societal, moral, environmental, or physical contexts. It emphasizes the gradual nature of decline.

  • The degradation of the environment is a pressing issue.
  • Years of neglect led to the degradation of the building.
humiliation

Humiliation involves causing someone to feel ashamed or foolish, often in front of others. It is a very personal and emotional term, typically used to describe interpersonal interactions or public shaming.

  • Her public humiliation during the meeting was difficult to watch.
  • He experienced deep humiliation when he was laughed at by his peers.
disgrace

Disgrace is used to describe a state of shame or loss of respect, often due to a person's actions. It has a strong negative connotation and is used in social and public contexts.

  • His plagiarism was a disgrace to the academic community.
  • The athlete fell from fame to disgrace after the doping scandal.

Examples of usage

  • The debasement of society was evident in the widespread corruption.
  • She felt a sense of debasement after being mistreated by her colleagues.
Context #3 | Verb

general

To lower the value or quality of something, especially by adding inferior elements.

Synonyms

degrade, deteriorate, tarnish.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
debasement

Appropriate when referring to the reduction in value or quality of something, often in a moral or ethical sense.

  • The debasement of cultural values over time is alarming.
  • His involvement in bribery led to the debasement of his reputation.
degrade

Often used to talk about the reduction of quality, value, or rank of something or someone, can imply humiliation in a personal sense.

  • The chemicals in the water can degrade the metal pipes over time.
  • He felt degraded after being scolded in front of his colleagues.
deteriorate

Typically used when referring to a gradual decline in quality, condition, or function, often in a physical or mental sense.

  • Her eyesight started to deteriorate as she got older.
  • The building began to deteriorate due to lack of maintenance.
tarnish

Used to describe the loss of luster or quality, often in a metaphorical sense, indicating damage to reputation or appearance.

  • The scandal tarnished his public image.
  • Silver can tarnish if not stored properly.

Examples of usage

  • He debased the recipe by using low-quality ingredients.
  • The counterfeit artist debased the painting by altering its original features.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Historical Origins

  • The term comes from the Old French word 'desbaser', meaning 'to lower' or 'reduce', and was used in relation to coins.
  • In the 14th century, English monarchs sometimes mixed gold and silver coins with cheaper metals, causing debasement and leading to inflation.

Economics

  • When currency is debased, it effectively lowers its buying power, making goods more expensive when measured against the currency.
  • Debasement can lead to loss of confidence in a currency, prompting people to seek more stable alternatives like foreign currencies or gold.

Psychology

  • Debasement can also refer to the degradation of personal value or self-esteem, as seen in instances of bullying or emotional abuse.
  • It can create a cycle where a person feels less worthy, leading to further negative perceptions and behaviors.

Art and Literature

  • In literature, debasement often symbolizes the corruption of ideals, as seen in dystopian works where values are severely distorted.
  • Artists sometimes address themes of debasement in their work to critique societal values, particularly when those values decline.

Pop Culture

  • Debasement is often reflected in movies and media, where characters experience moral decline or fall from grace.
  • Popular songs sometimes explore themes of personal debasement, highlighting struggles with identity and self-worth.

Origin of 'debasement'

The word 'debasement' originated from the Old French word 'debas', which means 'to lower'. It first appeared in English in the late 16th century. The concept of debasement has historically been associated with currency devaluation and moral decline. In the context of finances, debasement refers to the act of reducing the value of currency by adding less valuable metals. In a broader sense, debasement can also refer to the lowering of moral standards or reputation.

See also: abase, base, baseball, based, baseless, baselessly, basement, basic, basin, basis, debase, debased.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #26,719, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.