debase meaning and definition

DEBASE verb

Definition of debase (verb)

1. corrupt morally or by intemperance or sensuality
   • "debauch the young people with wine and women"; "Socrates was accused of corrupting young men"; "Do school counselors subvert young children?"; "corrupt the morals"
   • synonyms: corrupt, debauch, demoralise, demoralize, deprave, misdirect, pervert, profane, subvert, vitiate
2. lower in value by increasing the base-metal content
   • synonyms: alloy
3. corrupt, debase, or make impure by adding a foreign or inferior substance; often by replacing valuable ingredients with inferior ones
   • "adulterate liquor"
   • synonyms: adulterate, dilute, load, stretch