1
as in to reduce
to diminish the price or value of
a glutted market cheapened cranberries to the point where they were selling for less than what it cost to grow them
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to degrade
to lower in character, dignity, or quality
a politician who would cheapen herself by caving in to lobbyists
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3
as in to humiliate
to reduce to a lower standing in one's own eyes or in others' eyes
she really cheapens herself by shamelessly pursuing men like that
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cheapen
The acceleration of fast fashion has only complicated the issue, as non-essential features are cheapened or ditched in a bid to push down prices.
—
Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 9 Apr. 2025
And so do donors like me — who understand that supporting donors honors our sacrifice, rather than cheapens it.
—Lindsay Gutierrez, Baltimore Sun, 13 May 2025
When the front, sides, and back are all different, the inconsistency can be distracting and cheapen the feeling of the neighborhood.
—Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 17 Mar. 2025
The one thing that will cheapen a home is too short of a window treatment or one that is mounted incorrectly.
—Amanda Lauren, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cheapen
Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 9 Apr. 2025
And so do donors like me — who understand that supporting donors honors our sacrifice, rather than cheapens it.
—Lindsay Gutierrez, Baltimore Sun, 13 May 2025
When the front, sides, and back are all different, the inconsistency can be distracting and cheapen the feeling of the neighborhood.
—Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 17 Mar. 2025
The one thing that will cheapen a home is too short of a window treatment or one that is mounted incorrectly.
—Amanda Lauren, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cheapen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cheapen
Verb
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The ban aims to improve academic achievement, reduce cyberbullying, and minimize classroom disruptions.—
Ruby Grisin,
The Courier-Journal,
26 July 2025
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Failure to follow instructions could reduce the product's effectiveness, damage specific surfaces, and increase potential health risks to humans and pets.—
Nafeesah Allen,
Better Homes & Gardens,
26 July 2025
Verb
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Metal can tarnish or degrade when exposed to humidity, and many materials degrade when exposed to cardboard that isn't acid-free.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
19 July 2025
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In the last year, Israel has managed to significantly degrade the capabilities of its adversaries, particularly Lebanon’s Hezbollah, and its June conflict with Iran – with the help of the U.S. – was widely seen as having dealt a significant blow to Tehran’s abilities to harm the Jewish state.—
Natasha Turak,
CNBC,
18 July 2025
Verb
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Over 24 cycles, the show humiliated hundreds of young, naïve women (and, briefly, men) in the name of entertainment.—
Emily Palmer Heller,
Vulture,
9 July 2025
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Soldatov said that along this path was the 2008 war in Georgia, which showed the Russian army would not be humiliated anymore.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 July 2025
Verb
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This weakens their ability to educate, create, and grow.—
Miguel Cardona,
Time,
21 July 2025
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This could help verify recent findings from the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) that suggest this strange force is actually weakening over time.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
20 July 2025
Verb
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What used to be fringe denialism has evolved into a sophisticated, and increasingly profitable, campaign to discredit science, undermine regulation, and politicize sustainability.—
Felicia Jackson,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
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The Chinese Communist Party has waged a decades-long campaign to discredit the current Dalai Lama and erase his presence from Tibetan life, while tightening restrictions on religious and cultural practices.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
3 July 2025
Verb
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On the flip side, some influencers have posted images of them wearing Skims' retro girdle as a sole outfit, subverting the 1950s connotation of undergarments as visible only to one's husband, said Einav Rabinovitch-Fox, professor of gender at Case Western Reserve University.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
10 July 2025
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Alex managed to bypass Charlie’s detection by training herself to swallow all her natural impulses when lying, subverting the template of the show and what fans have come to expect.—
Matt Minton,
Variety,
10 July 2025
Verb
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Manager Luis Enrique's side then embarrassed Inter Miami 4-0 in the round of 16 and survived two late red cards vs. Bayern Munich to win that quarterfinal battle 2-0. PSG vs. Real Madrid Injury, Suspension, Lineup News: Both teams will be missing key pieces along their back lines today.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 July 2025
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The Nuggets, like the current Rockies, were embarrassing themselves regularly before posting an 11-71 record.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
5 July 2025
Verb
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The former Islander was removed from the villa after using a word that demeans the Asian community.—
Armando Tinoco,
Deadline,
9 July 2025
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Later on Wednesday, during a solo news conference, Trump continued to push back on that analysis and claimed American pilots who carried out the strikes were being demeaned by news reports about the Pentagon's preliminary assessment.—
Mary Bruce,
ABC News,
25 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cheapen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cheapen. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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