devalue

verb

de·​val·​ue (ˌ)dē-ˈval-(ˌ)yü 

devalued; devaluing; devalues

transitive verb

1

: to institute the devaluation of (money)

2

: to lessen the value of

intransitive verb

: to institute devaluation

Synonyms

• attenuate
• break
• cheapen
• depreciate
• depress
• devaluate
• downgrade
• lower
• mark down
• reduce
• sink
• write down
• write off

Examples of devalue in a Sentence

The government has decided to devalue its currency.

Economic woes forced the government to devalue.

He argues that placing too many requirements on schools devalues the education they provide.

Recent Examples on the Web

This cultural bias has not only fueled a national student debt crisis but has also devalued vocational careers. —David Nour, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024

Put another way, when governments devalue (yes, actual inflation) banks are among the first to know. —John Tamny, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024

Second, travel companies are devaluing and diluting their loyalty programs. —Christopher Elliott, USA TODAY, 13 Sep. 2024

Both companies just devalued their respective cable businesses by billions of dollars, have stocks that are in the toilet, and are ripe for the picking. —Tony Maglio, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1918, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Legal Definition

devalue

transitive verb

de·​val·​ue (ˌ)dē-ˈval-(ˌ)yü 

devalued; devaluing

1

: to institute the devaluation of (money)

2

: to lessen the value of

devaluing assets