basest

ADJECTIVE

vulgar, low

Synonyms

STRONGEST

paltry

STRONG

common corrupt depraved foul grovelling humble mean menial offensive plebeian poor shoddy

WEAK

abject abominable cheap coarse contemptible despicable disgraceful dishonorable disreputable ignoble immoral indelicate loathsome lowly pitiful scandalous servile shameful sleazy sordid sorry squalid trashy ugly unworthy vile worthless wretched

Antonyms

STRONG

aristocratic clean good high honest honorable just kind moral nice noble pleasing pure rich superior uncorrupt upright wealthy

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Many would agree that the turmoil and fear of the recent pandemic and lockdown revealed some of our basest human instincts and tendencies, in ways that we are still grappling with.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 31, 2024

And like the former president, Brand has channeled lessons from his early rise, betting on his basest self — and on the accommodations and calculations that those around him have always made.

From New York Times • Nov. 13, 2023

They prefer stuff like "Warrior Poet Society," because it flatters their basest instincts.

From Salon • Apr. 29, 2022

To their credit, jurors rejected this naked appeal to their basest selves.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 28, 2021

Medill accused him of nurturing the city’s basest instincts but also called him “the most remarkable man that our city has ever produced.”

From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson