Embaser

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. One who lowers the value or quality of something by degrading or corrupting it; a person who reduces respect or honor through harmful actions or statements; someone who diminishes the reputation or worth of a person or thing
2. An individual responsible for reducing the dignity or status of an object or idea by treating it with disrespect or by causing it to seem inferior; one who undermines the excellence or integrity of something or someone; a figure who causes a decline in perceived value or esteem
3. A person who intentionally lessens the importance or value of a concept, item, or individual by denigration or dishonorable behavior; one who defiles or cheapens the standing or significance of something; an agent of degradation or reputational decline

Etymology: Its root is the ordinary English idea of "low." The verb it comes from, "embase," meant to lower someone in rank or worth, and it entered English from Old French "embasser," which built on "bas," meaning low, a descendant of Late Latin "bassus." English speakers already had a close relative in "abase," which came through a similar French route, so "embase" was a variant of a familiar pattern: a French verb with a prefix attached to the sense of lowering. The "-er" ending is English and simply marks a person who performs the action, so this noun names someone who lowers or cheapens others or their standards.

Synonyms: defamer, slanderer, denigrator, disparager, vilifier

Antonyms: praiser, complimenter, extoller, applauder, admirer