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to devalue

to devalue

22 5.0
To make something seem less important or respected
  • verb
  • /dɪˈvæljuː/
translation icon : menospreciar
  • And what that does is it devalues the work that we do as real estate agents.
  • devalue individuals' cultural identities
  • devaluing self
  • devalues the art

So let's take on this issue of devaluing and discarding.

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Examples

  • Why would somebody want to devalue the property?

  • The last thing I would want you to do is to dismiss her or devalue her because she has a child already.

  • But those contributions are often devalued, that they are not taken up by other people.

  • Equally important is changing social norms and practices that often devalue the importance of women's health.

    Academic text (1999)
  • Failure to invest in maintenance can devalue the overall appeal of the property.

  • Many believe that cheapening the brand will only devalue its reputation in the market.

  • If we do not uphold standards, it may devalue the hard work of many individuals.

Synonyms

to diminish
vsto devalue
89 4.7

Make a person or thing seem less important

is the broader act of lowering worth or status rather than a minor change
to erode
vsto devalue
83 4.2

Gradually make someone's trust, belief, or support weaker over time

is the immediate act of lowering worth rather than a slow wearing away
to demean
vsto devalue
53 6.8

To make someone feel less respected or important

is the overall act of reducing respect or importance not only dignity
to degrade
vsto devalue
49 5.1

To make something worse in quality or value

is the broader reduction of worth not limited to quality or condition
to belittle
vsto devalue
45 5.0

To make someone or something seem not important

is the general lowering of value and respect beyond mere criticism
to downgrade
vsto devalue
43 4.9

To make something lower in rank, value or importance

is the general act of lowering worth not specifically tied to rank
to detract
vsto devalue
32 5.9

Make something seem less good or less valuable

is broader covering loss of importance rather than only removing a quality
to deflate
vsto devalue
20 4.6

To make someone feel less confident or important

is the act of lowering value or respect rather than only hurting confidence
to cheapen
vsto devalue
20 4.3

To make something seem less valuable, often by lowering its price or quality

is the general reduction of worth not only tied to price or quality
to impoverish
vsto devalue
14 6.7

Make a person, community, or land poor

is broader, reducing general worth or respect rather than causing poverty alone
to delegitimize
vsto devalue
  • Formal
12 7.7

To make people think someone or something is not acceptable

is the broader lowering of value or respect rather than only legal acceptance
to undervalue
vsto devalue
8 4.8

Think something or someone is less important than they really are

is the active reduction of worth rather than only mistaken low estimation
to debase
vsto devalue
7 6.9

To make something worth less by adding cheaper material

is the general lowering of worth beyond cases caused by inferior additions
to darken
vsto devalue
6 3.8

Make people think less of someone after a bad action

is the general lowering of value or respect rather than only harming reputation
to bastardize
vsto devalue
  • Informal
4 8.2

To make something lower quality by changing it from its original form

is the general act of reducing worth not restricted to corrupting changes
to deemphasize
vsto devalue
  • US
2 5.9

Make an idea or topic seem less important

is the active reduction of value or respect rather than only reducing attention
to depreciate
vsto devalue
1 6.5

Make a person or thing seem less important and less valuable

is the overall reduction of worth rather than occasional disparaging remarks
to disvalue
vsto devalue
8.4

To treat something as not worth much or make it worth less

is the active act of reducing worth or respect rather than only judging it
to devaluate
vsto devalue
  • Specialized
7.4

To make something seem less valuable or important

is the general reduction of worth across contexts not limited to currency
to take the shine out of
vsto devalue
  • Informal
7.3

To make something less enjoyable or impressive

is about reducing value or respect rather than merely reducing enjoyment
to deglamorize
vsto devalue
  • US
7.2

To make something seem less attractive or exciting

is the broader lowering of importance or worth rather than removing glamour
to deplume
vsto devalue
  • Archaic
9.9

To take away titles and honors from a person or group

is the wider lowering of worth not confined to losing honors or goods
to displume
vsto devalue
  • Archaic
9.9

To take away someone's honors or titles

is the broader reduction of value not limited to symbolic stripping of honors

Antonyms

424 4.0

Make something better or more attractive

285 1.9

To think a person or thing is important

128 3.9

To move something to a higher place or level

How Damaging

to demean
53 6.8
to devalue
22 5.0
to belittle
45 5.0
to disparage
28 7.7

Surface Forms

devalue infinitive
devalued past
devalued past participle
devaluing present participle
devalues third person singular

Morphology

devalue = value (transparent) = de + value

The prefix 'de-' regularly signals reduction or reversal, so 'devalue' is readily understood as making something less valuable or less valued.

Etymology

The word devalue combines de- (as in decrease, meaning 'reduce') and value (meaning 'worth'). So to devalue something is to make it worth less or to make it seem less important or respected.