devalue

verb

de·​val·​ue (ˌ)dē-ˈval-(ˌ)yü How to pronounce devalue (audio)
devalued; devaluing; devalues

transitive verb

1
: to institute the devaluation of (money)
2
: to lessen the value of

intransitive verb

: to institute devaluation

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
As Chinese companies invest billions in creating their own global intellectual property, emulating the IP empires of Disney and Netflix, the state can no longer afford to let its own tech giants devalue those assets. Vivian Toh, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025 Every airline had a different approach, but common methods included raising status tier requirements, partnering with credit card companies to offer cardholder-exclusive perks, and devaluing what each mile is worth by increasing the number of miles needed to book an award ticket. Katherine Fan, AFAR Media, 21 Aug. 2025 Analysts note that sudden large-scale sales by China could disrupt markets, but such a move would also risk devaluing its own holdings, making the threat more symbolic than practical. Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Aug. 2025 Pierce never devalues Alanna’s feelings and experiences, and the author isn’t didactic about the choices Alanna makes; readers will feel they’re being taken seriously, no matter their age. The Atlantic Culture Desk, The Atlantic, 23 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for devalue

Word History

First Known Use

1918, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of devalue was in 1918

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Devalue.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/devalue. Accessed 4 Sep. 2025.

Legal Definition

devalue

transitive verb
de·​val·​ue (ˌ)dē-ˈval-(ˌ)yü How to pronounce devalue (audio)
devalued; devaluing
1
: to institute the devaluation of (money)
2
: to lessen the value of
devaluing assets

More from Merriam-Webster on devalue

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!