cheapened; cheapening
ˈchēp-niŋ,
ˈchē-pə-
1
[obsolete English cheap to price, bid for] archaic
a
: to ask the price of
b
: to bid or bargain for
2
a
: to make cheap in price or value
b
: to lower in general esteem
c
: to make tawdry, vulgar, or inferior
: to become cheap
Examples of cheapen in a Sentence
products cheapened by sloppy workmanship
Using the national flag in advertising only cheapens it.
Poor marketing can cheapen a brand name.
I thought that the show cheapened the lives of the people it portrayed.
The wedding ceremony was cheapened by the best man's tasteless jokes.
Recent Examples on the Web
Treating the series like a mere fortune-teller cheapens its actual vision.
—
Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 12 June 2025
Greta used her global platform as a climate warrior to cheapen the horror by turning away.
—Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 11 June 2025
The nameless boy becomes nothing more than collateral damage on the men’s superficial spiritual journey, cheapening any real progress that the brothers had made.
—Shannon Carlin, Time, 30 May 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for cheapen
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 12 June 2025
Greta used her global platform as a climate warrior to cheapen the horror by turning away.
—Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 11 June 2025
The nameless boy becomes nothing more than collateral damage on the men’s superficial spiritual journey, cheapening any real progress that the brothers had made.
—Shannon Carlin, Time, 30 May 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for cheapen
Cite this Entry
“Cheapen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cheapen. Accessed 20 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share