Abase vs. Debase — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 12, 2023
Abase is to humiliate or degrade oneself. Debase is to reduce in quality, value, or dignity.
Difference Between Abase and Debase
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Abase and Debase, though both implying a lowering, are used in different contexts. To Abase primarily suggests a voluntary action where one lowers or degrades oneself, often in humility or submission. On the other hand, Debase typically indicates a reduction in quality, value, or dignity. If someone were to willingly humble themselves before a higher authority, they would Abase themselves. Meanwhile, if someone were to adulterate gold with a lesser metal, reducing its purity, they would Debase it.
It's important to note that Abase is frequently tied to personal behaviors and emotions, while Debase often involves corrupting or diluting something's inherent value.
In essence, while Abase concerns the lowering of self-worth or status, Debase pertains to the degradation of external things or values.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Lowering oneself voluntarily
Reducing in quality, value, or dignity
Usage Context
Personal behavior, emotions
Corruption, dilution of value
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Grammatical Role
Verb, often used reflexively
Verb
Common Subjects
Individuals, oneself
Materials, values, standards
Nuanced Meaning
Humiliation, degradation by self
Adulteration, degradation by external influence
Compare with Definitions
Abase
To lower in rank, dignity, or esteem.
He chose to Abase himself before the king.
Debase
To reduce in quality or value.
Counterfeiters Debase currency by mixing in cheaper metals.
Abase
To humiliate or degrade oneself.
She did not want to Abase herself by begging.
Debase
To adulterate or dilute.
Adding water would Debase the wine's quality.
Abase
To act in a way that diminishes one's stature.
He refused to Abase himself with such an act.
Debase
To corrupt or undermine the moral purity of.
Unkind words can Debase any conversation.
Abase
To bring down or reduce, as in rank or reputation.
Scandals might Abase a politician's status.
Debase
To reduce the intrinsic value of something.
Mass production sometimes Debases the uniqueness of items.
Abase
To cast down or reduce low.
The loss Abased his pride.
Debase
To lower in rank, dignity, or significance.
The accusations threatened to Debase his reputation.
Abase
To lower in rank, prestige, or esteem.
Debase
To lower in character, quality, or value; degrade.
Abase
(transitive) To lower, as in condition in life, office, rank, etc., so as to cause pain or hurt feelings; to degrade, to depress, to humble, to humiliate.
Debase
(transitive) To lower in character, quality, or value; to degrade.
Abase
To lower physically; to depress; to cast or throw down; to stoop.
To abase the eye
Debase
To lower in position or rank.
Abase
To lower in value, in particular by altering the content of alloys in coins; to debase.
Debase
(transitive) To lower the value of (a currency) by reducing the amount of valuable metal in the coins.
Abase
To lower or depress; to throw or cast down; as, to abase the eye.
Saying so, he abased his lance.
Debase
To reduce from a higher to a lower state or grade of worth, dignity, purity, station, etc.; to degrade; to lower; to deteriorate; to abase; as, to debase the character by crime; to debase the mind by frivolity; to debase style by vulgar words.
The coin which was adulterated and debased.
It is a kind of taking God's name in vain to debase religion with such frivolous disputes.
And to debase the sons, exalts the sires.
Abase
To cast down or reduce low or lower, as in rank, office, condition in life, or estimation of worthiness; to depress; to humble; to degrade.
Whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased.
Debase
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
Abase
Cause to feel shame; hurt the pride of;
He humiliated his colleague by criticising him in front of the boss
Debase
Lower in value by increasing the base-metal content
Debase
Corrupt, debase, or make impure by adding a foreign or inferior substance; often by replacing valuable ingredients with inferior ones;
Adulterate liquor
Common Curiosities
How is Debase different from Abase?
Debase typically implies a reduction in quality or value, often due to corruption or dilution.
What does Abase mean?
Abase means to lower oneself in dignity, rank, or esteem, often voluntarily.
Is Abase used reflexively?
Often, yes. For instance, "He Abased himself before the crowd."
Does Abase always suggest a voluntary action?
Predominantly, yes. Abase often indicates a willful lowering of oneself.
Is Abase commonly used in modern English?
While it's understood, it's less common than Debase in contemporary usage.
How can Debase be related to materials?
When a material's purity is adulterated or its quality lowered, it's said to be Debased.
Are there synonyms for Abase?
Yes, some include "humiliate," "degrade," and "belittle."
In what context is Debase most commonly used?
Debase is frequently used in contexts where something's quality or value is reduced or corrupted.
Does Debase have a financial connotation?
It can, especially when referring to the reduction of currency's value.
Can you provide a synonym for Debase?
"Adulterate" is a synonym, especially when referring to the dilution of a substance's purity.
Which word focuses more on self-worth?
Abase typically focuses on self-worth or personal status.
In literature, how might Abase be used?
Characters might Abase themselves as a sign of respect, submission, or in moments of despair.
Can Debase refer to moral degradation?
Yes. For instance, an action or statement can Debase a moral standard.
Which term might be used in the context of self-respect?
Abase, as it often deals with the lowering of one's own dignity or esteem.
Can Debase refer to cultural or artistic values?
Absolutely. A work might be considered Debased if it's seen as a diminished or inferior version of a cultural standard.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
