lascivious

adjective

las·​civ·​i·​ous lə-ˈsi-vē-əs How to pronounce lascivious (audio)
Synonyms of lasciviousnext
: filled with or showing sexual desire : lewd, lustful
lascivious acts/thoughts
arrested for lewd and lascivious assault
… crude and lascivious remarks …John Nichols
He is every woman's worst nightmare: the lascivious shark in a gold chain, loud sport shirt and polyester suit …Susan Schindehette et al.
lasciviously adverb
His show always began with Benny in a public park leering lasciviously at a bevy of young beauties … Gyles Brandreth
lasciviousness noun
… he satirized the contrived unions favored by upper society, exposing the greed, corruption, and lasciviousness with which they were permeated. Harvey Rachlin

Examples of lascivious in a Sentence

He was arrested for lewd and lascivious behavior. was criticized for making lascivious remarks that offended many in the group
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.
He was charged with lewd and lascivious behavior on a child under 12 years old, according to an arrest affidavit from the Bay County Sheriff's Office in Panama City, Florida. CBS News, 21 Mar. 2026 Duggar was also charged earlier this week with lewd and lascivious molestation of a victim less than 12 years old and lewd and lascivious behavior conducted by a person 18 years or older in connection with the allegations. Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 21 Mar. 2026 There, he is charged with molestation of a victim less than 12 years old and lewd and lascivious behavior conducted by a person 18 years or older, the Bay County Sheriff’s Office in Florida said in a news release this week. Janat Batra, NBC news, 21 Mar. 2026 Joseph Duggar is charged with lewd and lascivious behavior on a child under 12 years old, according to an arrest affidavit from the Bay County Sheriff's Office in Panama City, Florida. ABC News, 20 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lascivious

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Late Latin lasciviosus, from Latin lascivia wantonness, from lascivus wanton — more at lust entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lascivious was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lascivious.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lascivious. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

lascivious

adjective
las·​civ·​i·​ous lə-ˈsiv-ē-əs How to pronounce lascivious (audio)
lasciviously adverb
lasciviousness noun

Legal Definition

lascivious

adjective
las·​civ·​i·​ous lə-ˈsi-vē-əs How to pronounce lascivious (audio)
: reflecting or producing sexual desire or behavior especially that is considered indecent or obscene
lewd and lascivious behavior

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