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 of base in a Sentence

These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Freelance writer Johanna Costigan is a freelance writer based in New York. Condé Nast, WIRED, 1 Nov. 2024 Keep in mind traffic and road closures may change based on real-time conditions so consider using a traffic app. Jade Jackson, The Indianapolis Star, 1 Nov. 2024
Noun
The Nevada rally is a chance for the former president to appeal to his core base and mobilize his supporters ahead of November 5. Newsweek has contacted the Trump campaign for more information about the event. Nina Turner, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024 From $356 per night. BOOK NOW The Gant Aspen Located in a five-acre nook right at the base of Aspen Mountain, this set of condominiums offers a chic spot to lay your head at night after a day of skiing, snowboarding, and whatever else the Great Outdoors calls you to do. Will Porter, Architectural Digest, 31 Oct. 2024
Adjective
Last year Nadella’s pay packet totaled $48.5 million, with the company’s 2023 proxy filing revealing a base salary of $2.5 million plus stock awards, cash incentive compensation and other compensation. Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2024 The brand recommends prepping nails with a base coat and finishing with a top coat in a matte or gloss finish. Ali Faccenda, People.com, 25 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for base 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for base
Verb
  • Fixed-wing aircraft were grounded by high winds; helicopters were requested for firefighting efforts.
    Bay Area News Group, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
  • Schools and public transportation in the city were suspended until further notice, and authorities grounded flights at both Havana’s Jose Marti International Airport as well as at the popular beach resort at Varadero through Thursday.
    Reuters, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • The defense is easier to apply to non-commercial use cases—and is always decided by judges on a case by case basis.
    David Meyer, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2024
  • With a lower cost basis, there's more flexibility to enhance the property without overextending.
    Danny Kattan, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024
Noun
  • David and Benji’s grandmother had somehow survived internment in that camp, later emigrating to the United States.
    TIME, TIME, 1 Nov. 2024
  • Nacua suffered a knee injury during training camp, which was revealed to be a burst bursa sack in his knee.
    Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • The woman was initially taken to a police station and then transferred to a psychiatric center, according to the Telegram channel for the Iranian newspaper Farhikhtegan.
    Somayeh Malekian, ABC News, 3 Nov. 2024
  • There’s the storybook Main Street, acclaimed Dia museum, prime location along the Hudson River, plus hiking trails and a waterfall in the center of town.
    Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 3 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • Keep scrolling for tips on today's Connections but be warned: the answers for puzzle #510 will be revealed at the bottom of the page.
    Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 2 Nov. 2024
  • After the Mary Rose came to rest at the bottom of a strait in the English Channel, a layer of silt cloaked the ship and the hundreds of crew who died on board.
    Ashley Strickland, CNN, 2 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Flash forward 92-plus years to Donald Trump’s rally Sunday at New York’s Madison Square Garden, a bleak, lurid festival of racist hate and profane vituperation so vile that even fellow Republicans, who have turned a blind eye to Trump’s character for years, are distancing themselves from the event.
    Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2024
  • The mass protests, vile sound bites, revolving door to his administration, and constant threats of violence and war have been exhausting.
    Brea Baker, refinery29.com, 24 Oct. 2024
Adjective
  • The humble hippopotamus is finally getting its chance to shine on the big screen thanks to an upcoming project being launched at the American Film Market.
    Alex Ritman, Variety, 4 Nov. 2024
  • The popular perception of how the Grimms collected their tales was captured in an illustration that appeared in an eighteen-nineties German magazine: Jacob and Wilhelm are shown visiting a humble cottage, listening to an older peasant woman.
    Jennifer Wilson, The New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • This is all predicated on Achane's role in the offense, along with Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa being back as the starter.
    Matt Modi, Newsweek, 3 Nov. 2024
  • The settlement talks are predicated on a deal that would give Elliott less than full board control, said the people, who asked not to be named because the negotiations are confidential.
    Rohan Goswami,Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 20 Oct. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near base

Cite this Entry

“Base.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/base. Accessed 15 Nov. 2024.

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