debauch

verb de·bauch \ di-ˈbȯch , -ˈbäch , dē- \

Updated on: 29 Mar 2018

Definition of debauch

transitive verb

1 a archaic : to make disloyal

b : to seduce from chastity

notorious for debauching young women

2 a : to lead away from virtue or excellence

debauched by ambition

factory methods … debauched Victorian design
—Country Life

b : to corrupt by intemperance or sensuality

debauched poets

a debauched society

—

debaucher

noun

See debauch defined for kids

Examples of debauch in a Sentence

the long stay on a tropical isle had debauched the ship's crew to the point where they no longer acted liked naval professionals

Recent Examples of debauch from the Web

This is middle ages debauchery, when people really knew how to debauch.

— kelly kazek, AL.com, "Who knew there was such a thing as Renais-sex fairs?," 16 Mar. 2018
Prohibition failed because too few Americans agreed that all drinking was debauched.

— The Economist, "The year of Hurricane HarveyAccusations of harassment have felled some powerful men," 19 Dec. 2017
The ruling class became hoggishly self-indulgent: Mr Heffer lacerates Edward VII for his habit of sponging off his friends and debauching their wives.

— The Economist, "The decadent late-Victorian and Edwardian era," 7 Oct. 2017
If memory serves, Sixx’s proudly debauched autobiography was pretty graphic all by itself.

— george varga, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Mötley Crüe's Nikki Sixx to debut 'Heroin Diaries' graphic novel at Comic-Con," 19 July 2017
Lofing, who is married, faced a misdemeanor charge of debauching a minor and on Monday was sentenced to 90 days in jail.

— alex thomas, ajc, "Teacher gets 90 days in jail for sex with student on his 16th birthday," 19 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'debauch.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of debauch

Middle French debaucher, from Old French desbauchier to scatter, disperse, from des- de- + bauch beam, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German balko beam — more at balk

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1595

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

debauch Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of debauch

debase, vitiate, deprave, corrupt, debauch, pervert mean to cause deterioration or lowering in quality or character. debase implies a loss of position, worth, value, or dignity.

- commercialism has debased the holiday

vitiate implies a destruction of purity, validity, or effectiveness by allowing entrance of a fault or defect.

- a foreign policy vitiated by partisanship

deprave implies moral deterioration by evil thoughts or influences.

- the claim that society is depraved by pornography

corrupt implies loss of soundness, purity, or integrity.

- the belief that bureaucratese corrupts the language

debauch implies a debasing through sensual indulgence.

- the long stay on a tropical isle had debauched the ship's crew

pervert implies a twisting or distorting from what is natural or normal.

- perverted the original goals of the institute

debauch

noun

Definition of debauch

1 : an act or occasion of extreme indulgence in sensuality or carnal pleasures : an act or occasion of debauchery

2 : orgy

a debauch of pleasure

Recent Examples of debauch from the Web

Hot Springs was a wild town in those days—a spa for rich northerners, a debauch of illegal gambling, fancy nightclubs, and the Oaklawn racetrack.

— joe klein, Daily Intelligencer, "Bill Clinton: Who Is This Guy?," 30 June 2017