concupiscence

noun

con·cu·pis·cence kän-ˈkyü-pə-sən(t)s

kən-

Synonyms of concupiscence next

: strong desire

especially : sexual desire

concupiscent

kän-ˈkyü-pə-sənt

kən-

adjective

Examples of concupiscence in a Sentence

the Puritans did not condemn concupiscence but rather the satisfaction of it in ways they deemed illicit

Recent Examples on the Web Gregory of Nyssa, contemplating the Christian horror of concupiscence, once theorized that had not Adam and Eve sinned, the two of them would have remained virgins and reproduced in whatever way angels did. —

David Harsanyi, National Review, 8 June 2023 The depictions are disturbingly romantic: seminude invaders among smoldering monuments, preening with bloodlust and concupiscence. —

Cullen Murphy, The Atlantic, 9 June 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'concupiscence.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin concupiscentia, from Latin concupiscent-, concupiscens, present participle of concupiscere to desire ardently, from com- + cupere to desire

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of concupiscence was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century