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.

But the effect on most of its victims was to bring out their basest instincts.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 29, 2026

While it was daring in its hard-R riskiness and played on our basest fears, it didn’t reinvent the wheel, or even try to.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 16, 2025

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

Gleefully, she turned on the faithful Robbie, and with the basest of ingratitude, rewarded him for his sacrifice by taunting him cruelly for a lack of running ability.

From "I, Robot" by Isaac Asimov