base 1 of 3

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
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

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
So Fernandez built an offense based on skill at all positions, forcing defenses to defend multiple actions and ensuring stars glow brightest. Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 Throughout her career, Parton kept tight control while building an empire based on her personal brand. Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
Noun
Looked at another way, the 2026 Mac mini pricing is, effectively, even higher than that $100 boost would suggest, because Apple stopped selling the original base configuration of the 2024 Mac Mini earlier this year. Tom Brant, PC Magazine, 27 Aug. 2026 Halley’s team plans to use the complex, which has four soundstages across six acres, as the base of his Imani Studio. Erik Hayden, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2026
Adjective
Players often arrive back from their summer breaks with a base level of fitness — enhanced by light and sporadic individual training during their holidays — and their natural athlete’s stamina. George Edwards, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026 According to the museum’s latest annual report, Hunt earns a base salary of between £175,000 and £180,000 (about $235,000 and $245,000). Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 13 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for base
Recent Examples of Synonyms for base
Verb
  • Caglianone represented the tying run but grounded out on the first pitch against Blue Jays closer Louis Varland.
    Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Transportation was also the leading cause of fatal injuries among truck drivers, fishing and hunting workers, refuse collectors and grounds maintenance workers.
    Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Pricing Happy Head’s topical solution is billed on a monthly basis, with a single bottle containing two ounces of treatment solution.
    BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Rice had a side hustle as a vintage dealer and brought in plenty of pieces from the same era, including 1950s sofas by Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, a pair of 1970s blue suede armchairs, and benches from France with colorful bases.
    Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 28 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Otherwise, the Ravens filled 14 of their 17 practice squad spots with players who were on the team during training camp.
    Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The firefighters made camp at two in the morning, reclining on the pillowy grass, and ate dinner around a flickering campfire.
    M. R. O’Connor, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Patterson, who turns 27 on Tuesday, has experience at guard and center, and the 49ers needed a backup at both spots considering Toth’s lingering concussion symptoms.
    Matt Barrows, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • These counties have no hospitals or birth centers providing obstetric care, and no obstetric clinician.
    Kayley Corley, Washington Post, 31 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • The soft, stretchy fabric moves with you across terminals without bunching or binding, and because the top and bottom are already matched, getting dressed at the crack of dawn requires zero thought.
    Jill Layton, PEOPLE, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The Twins struck back with three runs in the bottom of the first.
    LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Disgusted that any adult would ever consider exploiting a child in such a vile and predatory way.
    Bryan Lynn, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026
  • His tenure came to an end when video surfaced of a drunken Galliano berating other customers at a Paris bar with vile antisemitic insults.
    Greg Evans, Deadline, 1 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • In a statement posted on social media, Obama highlighted Parton’s humble roots, colossal impact in music and Hollywood, and her philanthropic work.
    Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 26 Aug. 2026
  • In her songs, stage banter and interviews, Parton always presented herself as a humble, yet audacious mountain dreamer made good.
    Jewly Hight, NPR, 25 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Psychotherapy itself is predicated upon the healing power of human connection, yet therapists can be surprisingly quick to undervalue relationships outside the therapy room.
    David H. Rosmarin, Time, 29 Aug. 2026
  • For the history of their existence, social-media platforms’ business models have been predicated on maximizing users’ time and attention.
    Nathaniel Lubin, New Yorker, 28 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Base.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/base. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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