debased
debased — adjective
1. describing something that has fallen to a worse state than before — usually in m
describing something that has fallen to a worse state than before — usually in moral standards, dignity, or worth — so that people no longer give it the respect it once had.
Critics said the reality show offered a debased version of family entertainment.
attributive: a debased version of [thing]
Lotte argued that the political debate had become coarse and debased by personal attacks.
predicative: be debased by [cause]
The senator warned that lies in public life lead to a debased culture of trust.
Many readers feel the magazine has shrunk into a debased shadow of its former self.
Matthew refused to take part in what he called a debased ceremony empty of meaning.
文法句型
a debased [noun]
be debased by [cause]
用法筆記
Almost always carries a negative moral judgement — the speaker is criticising the loss of dignity or worth, not just noting a change.
常見錯誤
debased — verb
1. to drag the standing, dignity, or quality of something down so that it deserves
to drag the standing, dignity, or quality of something down so that it deserves less respect or counts for less than it did before.
Sayaka argued that constant shouting on talk shows debases public conversation.
transitive: debase [abstract noun]
Cheap medals handed out to everyone simply debase the meaning of true achievement.
subject is a practice that lowers worth
Beatrix felt the gossip column debased the memory of her grandmother.
The new owners debased the old theatre by turning it into a noisy souvenir shop.
Honest journalism is debased when reporters invent quotes to fit a story.
文法句型
debase [thing]
debase [thing] by [-ing]
用法筆記
Object is usually an abstract thing tied to honour, art, language, public life, or trust — rarely a concrete object. Often paired with 'by + -ing' to name the action that causes the fall.
常見錯誤
2. to cut down what a unit of money is really worth — for example, by mixing cheape
to cut down what a unit of money is really worth — for example, by mixing cheaper metal into coins or by borrowing far more than the currency can back.
Roman emperors debased the silver coin by adding more and more copper to each piece.
debase + coin + by adding [cheap metal]
Kabir explained how heavy borrowing can debase a national currency over time.
subject is a financial action; object is currency
Henry VIII debased the English penny so deeply that traders refused to accept it.
Critics argued that printing too much money would debase the country's savings.
- devalue
common modern term; can be a formal government act
- depreciate
gradual loss of value, often by market forces rather than action
- revalue
raise the official worth of a currency
文法句型
debase the currency / coin
debase [money] by [method]
用法筆記
Object is always a monetary unit (coin, currency, dollar, penny) or what that money buys for people. Distinguish from sense 1 by checking the object: money/coinage = sense 2; honour, art, language, public life = sense 1.