turpitude

noun tur·pi·tude \ ˈtər-pə-ˌtüd , -ˌtyüd \

Definition of turpitude

: inherent baseness : depravity

moral turpitude

; also : a base act

See turpitude defined for English-language learners

turpitude was our Word of the Day on 07/08/2017. Hear the podcast!

Examples of turpitude in a Sentence

pictorial advertisements for chic clothing and fragrances in which drug addiction and other forms of moral turpitude are depicted as alternative fashion statements

Recent Examples of turpitude from the Web

Those convicted of crimes of moral turpitude in Alabama automatically lose the right to vote.

— jonece starr dunigan, AL.com, "22-year-old fatally stabbed during argument in Montgomery," 6 Oct. 2017
Petrino’s moral turpitude should have been overlooked.

— eric bolin, ajc, "Bolin: Yes, Bret Bielema and Jeff Long saved Arkansas football," 13 Sep. 2017
Being difficult to wake up is not a sign of moral turpitude

— mallory ortberg, Slate Magazine, "Prudie advises a letter writer who tried to assist a woman getting into her wheelchair and made her cry.," 24 Apr. 2017
Merrill was instrumental in getting the moral turpitude clarifications passed into law.

— connor sheets, AL.com, "'Restoration clinics' to help felons register to vote under new Alabama law," 11 July 2017
The Mayor may be removed from office after a hearing, for any willful violation of duty, or for the commission of an offense involving moral turpitude, upon written notice from the City Council at least five days before the hearing.

— daniel beekman, The Seattle Times, "Council member asks Seattle Mayor Ed Murray to consider resigning," 17 July 2017
The Definition of Moral Turpitude Act identifies first- and second-degree burglary as crimes of moral turpitude, but not third-degree burglary.

— connor sheets, AL.com, "Registering felons to vote in jail: How a new Alabama law impacts voting rights, politics," 29 June 2017
According to a spokesperson for the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs, visas are considered on a case-by-case basis and waivers are sometimes available for those convicted of crimes of moral turpitude.

— sara jean green, The Seattle Times, "Name change for prostitution charge in Seattle brings errors in background checks," 14 June 2017
Before the bill was signed, only five felonies were considered not to be crimes of moral turpitude.

— connor sheets, AL.com, "Gov. Ivey signs bill restoring 'thousands' of Alabama felons' right to vote: Report," 25 May 2017

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

Did You Know?

Turpitude came to English from Latin by way of Middle French. The Latin word turpitudo comes from "turpis," which means "vile" or "base." The word is often heard in the phrase "moral turpitude," an expression used in law to designate an act or behavior that gravely violates the sentiment or accepted standard of the community. A criminal offense that involves "moral turpitude" is considered wrong or evil by moral standards, in addition to being the violation of a statute.