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

In a world where every moment must be productive, where caregiving is systematically devalued and where human relationships are subordinated to market logic, Miss Huang represents a future where childhood survives only as a date on a birth certificate. —Anna Mae Duane, The Conversation, 5 Mar. 2025

In previous versions, relievers and closers were often devalued. —Brian Mazique, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025

When the team moved from Montreal, the Orioles argued that Washington was inside the Orioles’ commercial footprint and that a second team so close could devalue Baltimore’s territorial broadcast rights. —Scott Soshnick, Sportico.com, 4 Mar. 2025

Our national currency is devaluing and shrinking every day. —Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1918, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for devalue

• accrue
• ado
• ainu
• aircrew
• airscrew
• anew
• askew
• baboo
• babu
• bamboo
• beaucoup
• bijou

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