hedonistic

adjective

he·​do·​nis·​tic ˌhē-də-ˈni-stik How to pronounce hedonistic (audio)
: devoted to the pursuit of pleasure : of, relating to, or characterized by hedonism
a hedonistic lifestyle
a city known for its wild, hedonistic nightlife
The unabashedly hedonistic Allen pursued the good life for two or three years after leaving Microsoft.David Kirkpatrick
This tiny European island will give you a taste of the fabled hedonistic decadence of the Roman Empire.Lauren Malaika Cooper
hedonistically adverb
living hedonistically

Examples of hedonistic in a Sentence

a hedonistic lifestyle a city known for its hedonistic nightlife
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Frida’s terminally ill mom, Victoria (Montse Guallar), escapes into a hedonistic haze of morphine, imperious behavior, and pansexual dalliances. Judy Berman, Time, 19 Sep. 2025 The only thing that may be crazier than the actual football life is this satirical comedy-drama that has more to do with a hedonistic existence than play-action passes. Brian Truitt, USA Today, 19 Sep. 2025 Highlights include intimate portraits by Nan Goldin and a monochrome image of Patti Smith and Robert Mapplethorpe during their hedonistic era in New York. Lee Sharrock, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025 Etienne’s aesthetic has always trafficked in the conventions of dance-pop, but their songs are hopeful and wide-eyed, avoiding any hints of hedonistic decadence. Ernesto Lechner, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for hedonistic

Word History

First Known Use

1866, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hedonistic was in 1866

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Cite this Entry

“Hedonistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hedonistic. Accessed 3 Oct. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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