Abase vs Debase: The Main Differences And When To Use Them

Are you often confused between the words “abase” and “debase”? Do you use them interchangeably? If yes, then this article is for you. In this article, we will discuss the differences between the two words and how to use them correctly.

We should understand the meaning of the two words. “Abase” means to behave in a way that belittles or degrades someone or something. On the other hand, “debase” means to lower the quality or value of something.

Now, the question arises, which of the two words is the proper word? Well, the answer is that both words are proper, but they are used in different contexts. “Abase” is used when someone is trying to humiliate or degrade someone else, whereas “debase” is used when something is being lowered in value or quality.

For instance, if someone is trying to humiliate their colleague in front of others, they are said to be abasing their colleague. On the other hand, if a company is lowering the quality of its products to increase profit margins, it is said to be debasing its products.

Now that we have understood the basic difference between the two words, let’s dive deeper into their usage and examples.

Define Abase

When we talk about abase, we refer to the act of lowering someone’s rank, status, or reputation. It means to humiliate or degrade someone, to make them feel inferior. Abase can also be used to describe the act of lowering the value or quality of something.

For example, if a manager publicly scolds an employee and belittles their work, the manager is abasing the employee. Similarly, if a company cuts corners to save costs and compromises on the quality of their products, they are abasing their brand reputation.

Define Debase

Debase, on the other hand, refers to the act of lowering the value or quality of something, especially a currency or metal. It means to reduce the purity or standard of something, making it less valuable or inferior.

For instance, if a government prints too much money to address a financial crisis, the currency’s value decreases, and it is said to be debased. Similarly, if a jeweler mixes gold with other metals to increase profits, the gold’s purity is reduced, and it is said to be debased.

Comparison Table: Abase vs Debase

Parameter	Abase	Debase
Meaning	To humiliate or degrade someone or lower the value or quality of something	To reduce the purity or standard of something, making it less valuable or inferior
Usage	Used in the context of people or things	Primarily used in the context of currency or metal
Examples	A manager abases an employee, or a company abases its brand reputation	A government debases its currency, or a jeweler debases gold by mixing it with other metals

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

When it comes to writing, choosing the right words can make all the difference in the clarity and impact of your message. Two words that are commonly confused are “abase” and “debase.” While they may seem interchangeable, they actually have distinct meanings that should be used correctly to avoid confusion.

How To Use “Abase” In A Sentence

“Abase” is a verb that means to lower in rank, esteem, or dignity. It is often used to describe a person’s actions towards another person or group. Here are some examples of how to use “abase” in a sentence:

• He abased himself before the king, begging for mercy.
• The dictator’s goal was to abase his political opponents and consolidate power.
• The bully’s insults were meant to abase his victim and make him feel worthless.

In each of these examples, the subject is intentionally lowering the status or worth of another person or group. It is important to note that “abase” is generally used in a negative context and should not be confused with “humble,” which can have positive connotations.

How To Use “Debase” In A Sentence

“Debase” is also a verb, but it means to lower in quality or value. This word is often used to describe a physical object or substance that has been degraded or made impure. Here are some examples of how to use “debase” in a sentence:

• The company’s decision to use cheap materials debased the quality of their products.
• The artist felt that the commercialization of his work debased its artistic value.
• The politician’s lies debased the trust of his constituents.

In each of these examples, the subject is causing something to become less valuable or pure. It is important to note that “debase” can also be used in a figurative sense, such as when describing the degradation of a moral or ethical standard.

By understanding the distinct meanings of “abase” and “debase,” you can choose the right word to accurately convey your intended message. Remember to use “abase” when describing a person’s actions towards another person or group, and “debase” when describing the degradation of a physical object or substance.

More Examples Of Abase & Debase Used In Sentences

In order to fully understand the difference between abase and debase, it is important to see how they are used in sentences. Here are some examples of both:

Examples Of Using Abase In A Sentence

• He was abased by the harsh criticism he received from his boss.
• The dictator’s goal was to abase his political opponents and maintain his power.
• She felt that her dignity had been abased by the way she was treated.
• The company’s decision to cut employee benefits abased the workers.
• The coach’s public criticism of the team abased their confidence.
• The politician’s lies and scandals abased his reputation.
• The teacher’s constant belittling of her students abased their self-esteem.
• He abased himself in front of his ex-girlfriend, begging for her forgiveness.
• The company’s unethical practices abased their brand image.
• The movie’s crude humor abased the intelligence of its audience.

Examples Of Using Debase In A Sentence

• The counterfeit bills debased the currency and caused inflation.
• His crude jokes and behavior debased the atmosphere of the party.
• The company’s decision to use cheap materials debased the quality of their products.
• The politician’s racist comments debased his credibility and respectability.
• The artist’s decision to sell mass-produced prints debased the value of his original works.
• The journalist’s biased reporting debased the integrity of the news organization.
• The coach’s decision to cheat debased the integrity of the game.
• The chef’s use of low-quality ingredients debased the taste of the dish.
• The company’s greed debased their commitment to social responsibility.
• The author’s use of cliches debased the quality of the writing.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

It is common for people to confuse the meanings of abase and debase, leading to incorrect usage in written and spoken communication. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:

Using Abase And Debase Interchangeably

One of the most common mistakes is using abase and debase interchangeably. While both words refer to lowering someone or something’s status, there is a subtle difference between them. Abase means to lower someone’s status or esteem, while debase means to lower the quality or value of something.

For example, saying “He debased himself by apologizing” is incorrect because apologizing does not lower someone’s quality or value. The correct usage would be “He abased himself by apologizing.”

Confusing Abase With Humiliate

Another common mistake is confusing abase with humiliate. While both words refer to lowering someone’s status, humiliate implies a more public and intentional act of lowering someone’s dignity or self-respect. Abase, on the other hand, can be done unintentionally or through circumstances beyond one’s control.

For example, saying “She was abased by the circumstances” is correct because the circumstances were beyond her control. Saying “He humiliated himself by failing the exam” is incorrect because failing an exam does not necessarily imply a public or intentional act of lowering one’s dignity.

Tips For Avoiding Common Mistakes

To avoid these common mistakes, it is important to understand the subtle differences between abase and debase, as well as their proper usage in context. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Use abase when referring to lowering someone’s status or esteem, and debase when referring to lowering the quality or value of something.
• Be mindful of the context in which you are using these words, and ensure that they accurately reflect the situation.
• When in doubt, consult a dictionary or thesaurus to ensure that you are using the correct word.

Context Matters

When it comes to choosing between the words abase and debase, context is key. Both words refer to the act of lowering or reducing something or someone, but the specific nuances of each word can change depending on the situation in which they are used.

Examples Of Different Contexts

Here are some examples of different contexts and how the choice between abase and debase might change:

Context	Choice between abase and debase
Personal Relationships	In the context of personal relationships, abase might be used to describe someone who is humbling themselves or showing humility, while debase might be used to describe someone who is lowering the reputation or worth of another person.
Business	In a business context, abase might be used to describe a company that is lowering its prices or sacrificing profits for the sake of customer satisfaction, while debase might be used to describe a company that is engaging in unethical practices or reducing the quality of its products.
Politics	In the realm of politics, abase might be used to describe a politician who is admitting fault or taking responsibility for a mistake, while debase might be used to describe a politician who is engaging in inflammatory rhetoric or attacking the character of their opponent.

As you can see, the choice between abase and debase can vary greatly depending on the context in which they are used. It is important to consider the specific connotations and implications of each word before choosing which one to use in your writing or speech.

Exceptions To The Rules

While the rules for using abase and debase are generally straightforward, there are a few exceptions to keep in mind.

1. Contextual Usage

Depending on the context, the rules for using abase and debase may not apply. For example, in certain literary or poetic contexts, the two words may be used interchangeably to create a specific effect or tone.

Consider the following example from Shakespeare’s play “Julius Caesar”: “Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world / Like a Colossus, and we petty men / Walk under his huge legs and peep about / To find ourselves dishonorable graves. / Men at some time are masters of their fates: / The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, / But in ourselves, that we are underlings.” In this passage, the word “underlings” is used to convey a sense of inferiority or debasement, even though “abase” may have been a more technically correct choice.

2. Regional Differences

The rules for using abase and debase may also vary depending on regional dialects or colloquialisms. For example, in some parts of the United States, the word “debase” may be used more frequently than “abase” in everyday conversation, even if both words technically mean the same thing.

3. Historical Usage

In certain historical contexts, the rules for using abase and debase may be different than they are today. For example, in medieval times, the word “debase” was often used to describe the act of reducing the value of a coin by adding cheaper metals to it. Today, “abase” would be the more appropriate term to use in this context, but it’s important to understand the historical usage of the two words in order to fully appreciate their meanings.

Overall, while the rules for using abase and debase are generally straightforward, it’s important to keep in mind that there may be exceptions depending on context, regional differences, or historical usage.

Practice Exercises

Now that we have covered the differences between abase and debase, it is time to put your knowledge to the test. Below are some practice exercises to help you improve your understanding and use of these words in sentences. Make sure to read the instructions carefully before attempting each exercise.

Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank

Choose the correct word (abase or debase) to fill in the blank in each sentence below:

1. She felt that her actions had ________d her reputation in the community.
2. He refused to ________ himself by lying to his boss.
3. The dictator’s cruel treatment of his people ________d the country’s image on the world stage.
4. The coach’s harsh criticism seemed designed to ________ the players’ confidence.
5. It is never okay to ________ someone else to make yourself feel better.

Answer Key:

1. debased
2. abase
3. debased
4. debase
5. abase

Exercise 2: Sentence Writing

Write a sentence using each of the words (abase and debase) correctly:

Word	Sentence
abase
debase

Answer Key:

Word	Sentence
abase	After getting caught cheating, he knew he had to abase himself before his classmates.
debase	The comedian’s jokes were so crude that they seemed to debase the entire audience.

By practicing with these exercises, you should have a better understanding of how to use abase and debase correctly in your writing and speech.

Conclusion

In conclusion, understanding the difference between abase and debase is crucial for effective communication and writing. Here are the key takeaways from this article:

Abase Vs Debase

• Abase means to humiliate or degrade someone or something.
• Debase means to lower the quality or value of something.
• While these two words are similar in meaning, they are not interchangeable.
• It is important to use the correct word in the appropriate context to avoid confusion and miscommunication.

As writers, we have a responsibility to use language effectively and accurately. Learning about grammar and language use can help us communicate more clearly and effectively. I encourage readers to continue learning and improving their writing skills.