base 1 of 3

as in to ground
to find a basis she based her argument on careful research

Synonyms & Similar Words

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base

2 of 3

noun

1
2
as in camp
a place from which an advance (as for military operations) is made the army's base of attack was kept top secret until the battle began

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
4
as in bottom
the lowest part, place, or point the base of the mountain extends over a huge area make sure the base of the stove rests evenly on the floor

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

5
as in headquarters
the place from which a commander runs operations the army base is three miles down the road

Synonyms & Similar Words

base

3 of 3

adjective

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective base contrast with its synonyms?

The words low and vile are common synonyms of base. While all three words mean "deserving of contempt because of the absence of higher values," base stresses the ignoble and may suggest cruelty, treachery, greed, or grossness.

base motives

When is low a more appropriate choice than base?

The meanings of low and base largely overlap; however, low may connote crafty cunning, vulgarity, or immorality and regularly implies an outraging of one's sense of decency or propriety.

refused to listen to such low talk

Where would vile be a reasonable alternative to base?

In some situations, the words vile and base are roughly equivalent. However, vile, the strongest of these words, tends to suggest disgusting depravity or filth.

a vile remark

Examples Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of base
Verb
Steve Mensch, 62, has been head of the film studio based in Atlanta since 2016. Nate Jackson, Los Angeles Times, 7 Dec. 2024 Top stories About the writer Khaleda Rahman is Newsweek's National Correspondent based in London, UK. Khaleda Rahman, Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2024
Noun
With so many notes to round out a vanilla base, the key to choosing the perfect perfume is actually staring back at you in the mirror—you! Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 18 Dec. 2024 At the building’s base is a large amphitheater, open around-the-clock and big enough to seat 800 people for a range of events (including the daily spectacle of the sun rising over the sea and nearby Zhifu Island). Charlotte Collins, Architectural Digest, 17 Dec. 2024
Adjective
The mountain, which is on the Ikon Pass, also boasts more than 340 inches of snow each year thanks to its base elevation of 9,000 feet and more than 3,000 feet vertical. Alison Fox, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2024 In other words: No double-dipping (trying to claim two primary residences) for the base year value transfer. Jeff Lazerson, Orange County Register, 25 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for base 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for base
Verb
  • Eight helicopters with over 19,000 flight hours are, as of now, permanently grounded.
    Craig Hooper, Forbes, 15 Dec. 2024
  • In response, Whitaker grounded similar models and required Boeing to submit a comprehensive plan to address manufacturing and quality control issues.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • There are also changes coming to cost basis calculations – which is key for investors as cost basis represents their original investment in the asset.
    Darla Mercado, CFP®, CNBC, 11 Dec. 2024
  • On a monthly basis, CPI rose 0.3% in November, after rising by 0.2% for three straight months.
    Courtenay Brown, Axios, 11 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • The image, which first appeared in Harper's Weekly, was created as Union propaganda during the war, featuring Santa handing out presents at a Union Army camp.
    Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 7 Dec. 2024
  • After suffering a calf strain in training camp that later developed into Achilles tendinitis in both legs, the reigning Offensive Player of the Year was expected to be ready for Week 1.
    Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • And Dollar General is currently in the middle of a distribution optimization, exiting four distribution centers (DCs) in the third quarter for a total of 15 within the past 12 months.
    Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 9 Dec. 2024
  • To be sure, Bank of America acknowledged that the ongoing struggles at AMD’s chief rival, Intel , could lead AMD to capture even more business than expected in the PC market, as well as the traditional, non-AI data center market.
    Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 9 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • This can work because the mouseover label is displayed next to the link that’s being hovered over and, when using a web browser to access Gmail, the real URL is most often displayed at the bottom of the screen.
    Davey Winder, Forbes, 7 Dec. 2024
  • The bottom of the device page holds the robot's main control panel.
    PCMAG, PCMAG, 6 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • The dancing on the death of somebody was pretty vile.
    Miranda Kennedy, Vox, 10 Dec. 2024
  • The hour sits with him as his anxiety builds, causing some to sympathize with him despite his typical vile behavior.
    EW Staff, EW.com, 5 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Chapter 1: The Rise of Scribe Media Scribe Media started in 2014 as the humbler, niche-sounding Book in a Box.
    Kyle J. Russell, USA TODAY, 13 Dec. 2024
  • Just a few steps up the hill is a humble boulangerie that punches far above its weight; Le Fornil de Mon Père has been making bread and pastries in the area for eight decades.
    Michael Venutolo-Mantovani, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • To anyone who can’t or won’t eat anything predicated on the existence of a cow, risotto should surely be off limits.
    Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 16 Dec. 2024
  • And yet the show has a soothing effect, predicated on the idea that human behavior (and misery) isn’t mysterious or unchangeable.
    Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 6 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near base

Cite this Entry

“Base.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/base. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

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