1
as in degenerate
having lost forcefulness, courage, or spirit
social critics claimed that their culture had become decadent and weak
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in corrupt
having or showing lowered moral character or standards
opponents of gambling casinos claim that gambling is a decadent form of entertainment
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in luxurious
given to or marked by excessive gratification of one's desires
the impressionable heiress couldn't resist the decadent temptations of the jet-set life
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in pervert
a person who has sunk below the normal moral standard
avant-garde artists who were scorned by the bourgeoisie as talentless decadents
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in hedonist
a person whose life is devoted to luxury and sensual pleasures
a decadent who squandered her once considerable family fortune
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of decadent
Kristi Kellogg, Architectural Digest, 5 Oct. 2025
The pureed corn mixture is buttery, savory, and surprisingly decadent despite having only a small amount of dairy, The corn's natural sugars add an edge of sweetness to the sauce; the sauce coats the pasta like an Alfredo and matches its richness but is not as cheesy as an Alfredo.
—Elizabeth Mervosh, Southern Living, 5 Oct. 2025
Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 11 Aug. 2025
For dessert, the most decadent is chocolate dumplings with raspberry caramel and sea salt countering the sweetness.
—Constance Ogle, Miami Herald, 1 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decadent
Adjective
The DreamCloud Premier King has a super-cozy cashmere top and seven decadent layers of adaptive support.
—Kristi Kellogg, Architectural Digest, 5 Oct. 2025
The pureed corn mixture is buttery, savory, and surprisingly decadent despite having only a small amount of dairy, The corn's natural sugars add an edge of sweetness to the sauce; the sauce coats the pasta like an Alfredo and matches its richness but is not as cheesy as an Alfredo.
—Elizabeth Mervosh, Southern Living, 5 Oct. 2025
Noun
My vision was to create a grab-and-go option that’s a little bit decadent without being a total sugar bomb.
—Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 11 Aug. 2025
For dessert, the most decadent is chocolate dumplings with raspberry caramel and sea salt countering the sweetness.
—Constance Ogle, Miami Herald, 1 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decadent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decadent
Adjective
-
Like people, joints naturally degenerate over time, and arthritis is particularly common in older pets.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Sep. 2025
-
In his native Germany, he was reviled by the Nazis as a degenerate artist.—
Celia Bell
July 22,
Literary Hub,
22 July 2025
Adjective
-
Elliot Richardson, the Attorney General, resigned -- resigned rather than carry out the corrupt orders of the president.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 Oct. 2025
-
Eric Adams, who started his career as a transit cop, was undone in part by his dealings with corrupt old friends from the department.—
Eric Lach,
New Yorker,
9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The Hudson Valley has attracted New York City’s elite since the Gilded Age, offering up large and luxurious retreats amid breathtaking natural beauty.—
Demetrius Simms,
Robb Report,
9 Oct. 2025
-
The evening kicked off at Barlume in Manhattan with a luxurious dinner.—
Mackenzie Cummings-Grady,
Billboard,
9 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Boiled down to a thoughtless pervert by the public, Six became one.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
21 Aug. 2025
-
What follows is a floor-by-floor descent into madness as Bobby battles bloodthirsty perverts, demonic flash mobs, and hallucinogenic suburban nightmares, all while trying to figure out if he’s meant to be the hero… or just the last guy standing.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
14 July 2025
Noun
-
If Ritter is a masochist and a sadist, Eloise is a pure hedonist.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
21 Aug. 2025
-
This version of Trump is a lawsuit-happy hedonist who is literally in bed with Satan (in South Park, Satan is something of a lost soul, often ending up in abusive relationships).—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
26 July 2025
Adjective
-
What we’re left with is an effete description that exists for itself and doesn’t illuminate the character.—
Hannah Gold,
New Yorker,
29 Aug. 2025
-
Cutaways to bits involving sad-sack local cop Maccarico (Marco Bonadei) interviewing kooky characters like an effete server (Milutin Dapcevic) at Taco King and Oreste getting a dressing down from his ex-wife, Arabella’s Mother (Margareth Made), just feel like mildly amusing filler.—
Leslie Felperin,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
In Alzheimer’s, this transport system often becomes clogged or degraded.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Under her leadership, the NYBG’s research team has expanded to 81 projects across 79 countries to conserve disappearing plant species, restore degraded ecosystems, and breed crops to withstand drought, sea level rise and extreme heat under climate change.—
Eduardo Garcia,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
While on The Tonight Show, Swift appeared shy when discussing the song’s lyrics, ducking her head down as the house band the Roots began playing a sensual tune.—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Bieber’s iteration on the trend elevated the style to a cheeky, high-fashion moment with feminine touches and sensual edge.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
30 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Decadent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decadent. Accessed 14 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share