decadent

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adjective dec·a·dent \ ˈde-kə-dənt also di-ˈkā- \

Definition of decadent

1 :marked by decay or decline

an increasingly decadent society

2 literature :of, relating to, or having the characteristics of a group of late 19th century French and English writers tending toward artificial and unconventional subjects and subtilized style :of, relating to, or having the characteristics of the decadents (see ²decadent 1)

3 :characterized by or appealing to self-indulgence

a rich and decadent dessert

the hotel's decadent luxury

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decadently

adverb

See decadent defined for English-language learners

Examples of decadent in a Sentence

The book condemns some of society's wealthiest members as decadent fools.
a wealthy and decadent lifestyle
a decadent hotel room, complete with a hot tub
We relaxed in decadent luxury.

Recent Examples of decadent from the Web

Almond and Plum Bostock This decadent entry into the toast craze is really a traditional sweet sold in French patisseries as a way to use up stale brioche.

— jill o'connor, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Stone fruit harvest makes flavor-enhanced desserts," 29 Aug. 2017
Like the moody still life food paintings on the dark wood walls, the offerings—even veggie numbers like blistered shishito peppers with creamy corn – are decadent.

— Condé Nast Traveler, "GT Prime," 25 Aug. 2017
This American phenomenon resembles the new decadent cuisine that piles layers of proteins — and then tops them with fatty bacon.

— armond white, National Review, "Class Consciousness, French- and American-Style," 18 Aug. 2017
One of the drinks on its menu, dubbed the Rum & Cola, is definitely decadent.

— sam dangremond, Town & Country, "NYC's BlackTail Named Best New Cocktail Bar in America," 25 July 2017
Tatcha’s Japanese botanical emulsion is perfect for anti-aging, and includes a decadent gold spatula as part of the packaging.

— courtney brunson, Allure, "Water Is the Essence of Wetness and Also of These Innovative Moisturizers," 11 July 2017
The decadent hot fudge sundae is topped with seasonal berries and a Ghirardelli Dark Chocolate Blueberry Square.

— carolina gusman, sandiegouniontribune.com, "National Ice Cream Month: Every day's a sundae in July," 5 July 2017
The Cloud Bread, a large, soft pillow of carbs that looks like a pita injected with helium, can be torn apart and wrapped around the thick slices for one of the world’s most decadent sandwiches.

— andy staples, SI.com, "Where to eat, drink in New York City," 30 June 2017
Instead, just opt for the higher fat content and enjoy every decadent bite.

— max bonem, SI.com, "Five common burger mistakes—and how to avoid them this summer," 30 June 2017

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

Did You Know?

To be decadent is to be in the process of decay, so a powerful nation may be said to be in a decadent stage if its power is fading. But the word is more often used to speak of moral decay. Ever since the Roman empire, we've tended to link Rome's fall to the moral decay of its ruling class, who indulged in extreme luxuries and unwholesome pleasures while providing the public with cruel spectacles such as the slaughter of the gladiators. But not everyone agrees on what moral decadence looks like (or even how it might have hastened the fall of Rome), though most people think it involves too many sensual pleasures—as, for instance, among the French and English poets and artists of the 1880s and ʼ90s called the Decadents. These days, for some reason, people have decided decadent is the way to describe rich chocolate cakes.

Origin and Etymology of decadent

back-formation from decadence

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1837

See Words from the same year

decadent Synonyms

Synonyms

effete, decayed, degenerate, overripe, washed-up

Antonyms

undecadent

Related Words

effeminate, overrefined, precious; decaying, declining, dying, failing, waning; debilitated, enervate, enervated, enfeebled, feeble, frail, languid, sapped, soft, wasted, weak, weakened, wimpy; dissolute, immoral; debased, debauched, degraded, demoralized, depraved, dissipated, dissolute

Near Antonyms

incorruptible; ethical, honest, principled; good, moral, righteous, virtuous

decadent

noun

Definition of decadent

1 literature :one of a group of late 19th century French and English writers tending toward artificial and unconventional subjects and subtilized style

2 :one that is marked by decay or decline :one that is decadent (see ¹decadent 1)

Examples of decadent in a Sentence

avant-garde artists who were scorned by the bourgeoisie as talentless decadents
a decadent who squandered her once considerable family fortune

Recent Examples of decadent from the Web

Although Araujo, Cummins, and the wedding party were not seated at the head table this past Saturday, there was more than enough seating in the hotel’s garden pavilion and decadent eats for all those guests who received an impromptu invitation.

— michelle darrisaw, Southern Living, "Bride-to-Be Turns $30,000 Dream Wedding Into Glamorous Dinner for the Homeless," 19 July 2017
Born six years after Feydeau, Edmond Rostand’s play tacitly indicts the decadent and hypocritical world in which both men wrote by turning to an idealized past of heroes embodying our best selves.

— mike fischer, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "American Players Theatre turns to farce with 'A Flea in Her Ear'," 1 July 2017
Dancers dressed as candies, pralines, and liqueur bottles move to Richard Strauss’s decadent, swooping melodies from 1924.

— The New Yorker, "At A.B.T., an Extravaganza for Eyes and Ears," 22 May 2017
The bitterness from the 10 percent alcohol, roasted barley and strong hop presence balances with the decadent, over-the-top sweetness of the cookie.

— john frank, The Denver Post, "Ditch the milk — here are three beers that pair perfectly with cookies," 7 Feb. 2017