deprave

de·prave

verb \di-ˈprāv\

de·pravedde·prav·ing

Definition of DEPRAVE

transitive verb

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

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See Synonym Discussion at debase