dissolute

play

adjective dis·so·lute \ ˈdi-sə-ˌlüt , -lət \

Definition of dissolute

:lacking restraint; especially :marked by indulgence in things (such as drink or promiscuous sex) deemed vices (see ¹vice 1)

leading a dissolute lifestyle

the dissolute and degrading aspects of human nature
—Wallace Fowlie

—

dissolutely

adverb

—

dissoluteness

noun

See dissolute defined for English-language learners

See dissolute defined for kids

Examples of dissolute in a Sentence

literature dealing with the dissolute and degrading aspects of human experience

Recent Examples of dissolute from the Web

Then the girl’s dissolute preacher brother Jib (Corey Spruill) arrives, uninvited and dangerous.

— misha berson, The Seattle Times, "‘Hoodoo Love’ review: a tale of survival in the bluesy South," 19 July 2017
John Dos Passos is there to support the Republican cause, and a young Robert Capa, and a cast of elegantly dissolute prostitutes, one missing a leg.

— benjamin anastas, New York Times, "Martha Gellhorn’s Greatest Novel Is Essential Reading for Today," 25 May 2017
Under John Crowley’s direction, this Sydney Theater Company production stars Cate Blanchett stars as an unmoored widow, with Richard Roxburgh as a dissolute comrade.

— New York Times, "What’s New in NYC Theater," 5 Jan. 2017

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