1
as in desire
sexual appetite
the Puritans did not condemn concupiscence but rather the satisfaction of it in ways they deemed illicit
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in lustfulness
intense sexual desire
according to the church theologian St. Augustine, concupiscence is a consequence of original sin
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of concupiscence
Gregory of Nyssa, contemplating the Christian horror of concupiscence, once theorized that had not Adam and Eve sinned, the two of them would have remained virgins and reproduced in whatever way angels did.
—
David Harsanyi, National Review, 8 June 2023
The depictions are disturbingly romantic: seminude invaders among smoldering monuments, preening with bloodlust and concupiscence.
—Cullen Murphy, The Atlantic, 9 June 2020
David Harsanyi, National Review, 8 June 2023
The depictions are disturbingly romantic: seminude invaders among smoldering monuments, preening with bloodlust and concupiscence.
—Cullen Murphy, The Atlantic, 9 June 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for concupiscence
Noun
-
And though there was no thought of the band continuing as Joy Division with another singer, there was a strong desire to continue playing together.—
Mark Richardson,
Pitchfork,
28 Feb. 2026
-
There is also bipartisan desire for a briefing on Iran, although Kim said a public hearing is more important.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
28 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Owner Mary Hernandez walked me through the care of the plant and shared her passion.—
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
February 28,
Sacbee.com,
28 Feb. 2026
-
His passions outside of covering baseball are his wife, Gina, his two step kids, two crazy dogs & barbecue.—
Evan Grant,
Dallas Morning News,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
And for the second year in a row, Texas claims the top spot for lust.—
Alexis Simmerman,
Austin American Statesman,
25 Feb. 2026
-
And as such are grappling with the complex history of figures like him, whose lust for profit is matched only by a prescient sense of what the world will need next to satiate the ravenous maw of industry and global capital.—
Nicolas Niarchos,
Vanity Fair,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Concupiscence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/concupiscence. Accessed 5 Mar. 2026.
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