debase vs alter

debase and alter both are verbs.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
debase	No	No	Yes	No
alter	No	No	Yes	No

As verbs, alter is a hypernym of debase; that is, alter is a word with a broader meaning than debase:

Other hypernyms of debase include change, modify.

debase (verb)	alter (verb)
lower in value by increasing the base-metal content	remove the ovaries of
corrupt, debase, or make impure by adding a foreign or inferior substance; often by replacing valuable ingredients with inferior ones	become different in some particular way, without permanently losing one's or its former characteristics or essence
corrupt morally or by intemperance or sensuality	cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
	insert words into texts, often falsifying it thereby
	make an alteration to