Debases actions meant otherwise (12)

I believe the answer is:

contaminates

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'debases' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both related to change as well as being verbs in their -s form.
Maybe you can see an association between them that I don't see?

'actions meant otherwise' is the wordplay.
'otherwise' indicates an anagram.
'actions'+'meant'='actionsmeant'
'actionsmeant' with letters rearranged gives 'CONTAMINATES'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for contaminates that I've seen is " Spoils".)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.

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