deprave

de·prave

transitive verb \di-ˈprāv\

de·pravedde·prav·ing

Definition of DEPRAVE

1

archaic : to speak ill of : malign

2

: to make bad : corrupt; especially : to corrupt morally

— de·pra·va·tion \ˌde-prə-ˈvā-shən, ˌdē-ˌprā-\ noun

— de·prave·ment \di-ˈprāv-mənt\ noun

— de·prav·er \di-ˈprā-vər\ noun

Examples of DEPRAVE

1. <the belief that pornography depraves society as a whole>

Origin of DEPRAVE

Middle English, from Anglo-French depraver, from Latin depravare to pervert, from de- + pravus crooked, bad

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to DEPRAVE

Synonyms

abase, bastardize, canker, cheapen, corrupt, debauch, degrade, demean, demoralize, debase, deteriorate, lessen, pervert, poison, profane, prostitute, subvert, vitiate, warp

Antonyms

elevate, ennoble, uplift

Related Words

befoul, begrime, contaminate, defile, dilute, dirty, pollute, taint, thin, water down, weaken; descend; disgrace, dishonor, humble, humiliate, shame, take down; blemish, damage, deface, destroy, flaw, harm, hurt, impair, mar, ruin, spoil, stain, tarnish, wreck; depreciate, downgrade

Near Antonyms

dignify, exalt, honor; ameliorate, amend, better, enhance, enrich, improve, meliorate, perfect; clarify, clean, cleanse, purify, refine, restore; respect

See Synonym Discussion at debase