BASE Synonyms: 242 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

base 1 of 3

verb

Definition of base next

as in to ground

to find a basis she based her argument on careful research

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base

2 of 3

noun

ˈbās

as in basis

an immaterial thing upon which something else rests the firm belief that complete trust between partners is the base of any successful marriage

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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

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as in center

a thing or place that is of greatest importance to an activity or interest the base of the industry is California's Silicon Valley

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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

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as in headquarters

the place from which a commander runs operations the army base is three miles down the road

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base

3 of 3

adjective

as in vile

not following or in accordance with standards of honor and decency a base and sneaky act that is a clear violation of international law

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as in humble

showing, expressing, or offered in a spirit of humility or unseemly submissiveness their base obedience to every unprincipled action ordered by their leader

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Example 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

In 1995, the WTA Tour introduced a tournament eligibility rule based on age and set a lower limit of 14 for players to enter WTA Tour events. —

Charlie Eccleshare, The Athletic, 18 Jan. 2025 Adjust the Warmth slider as needed, and turn on the Warmth schedule toggle switch to get the display to adjust automatically based on the time of day. —

David Nield, WIRED, 18 Jan. 2025

Noun

Smartwool Active Fleece Wind Gloves $50 at REI Smartwool is well-known for its incredibly warm base layers, but its gloves are also worth mentioning. —

Michelle Polizzi, Travel + Leisure, 29 Jan. 2025 More broadly, a push to deregulate — which Trump and his base widely support — is at odds with efforts to curtail harmful chemicals and our exposure to them. —

Benji Jones, Vox, 28 Jan. 2025

Adjective

Missouri is taking its base hourly rate to $13.75, up $1.45, thanks to a ballot measure passed by voters. —

Kate Gibson, CBS News, 30 Dec. 2024 The suited look featured a base black fabric with delicate, white pinstripes along the blazer and trousers. —

Julia Teti, WWD, 17 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for base

Recent Examples of Synonyms for base

Verb

Hundreds of flights were grounded on Friday at airports across Ireland and Britain.

— Claire Moses, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2025
Happy Birthday for Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025: You are grounded.

— Georgia Nicols, The Denver Post, 23 Jan. 2025