Synonyms of decadent

decadent 1 of 2

adjective

ˈde-kə-dənt 

1

as in degenerate

having lost forcefulness, courage, or spirit

social critics claimed that their culture had become decadent and weak

Synonyms & Similar Words

• degenerate
• effete
• weak
• decayed
• overripe
• degraded
• soft
• weakened
• feeble
• washed-up
• precious
• failing
• immoral
• dissolute
• depraved
• dying
• decaying
• languid
• debauched
• declining
• wasted
• waning
• enfeebled
• debased
• frail
• wimpy
• debilitated
• enervated
• demoralized
• overrefined
• dissipated
• sapped
• enervate

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

• corrupt
• degraded
• sick
• depraved
• debauched
• dissolute
• degenerate
• perverted
• debased
• crooked
• perverse
• loose
• libertine
• warped
• spoiled
• unwholesome
• rakish
• vicious
• unclean
• dishonest
• demoralized
• immoral
• dissipated
• wicked
• evil
• bad
• reprobate
• sinful
• unscrupulous
• unprincipled
• rakehell
• unethical
• cutthroat
• bent
• jackleg
• iniquitous
• contaminated
• nefarious
• tainted
• miscreant

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• pure
• incorruptible
• uncorrupted
• ethical
• uncorrupt
• honest
• virtuous
• good
• moral
• principled
• righteous

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

• luxurious
• sensual
• hedonistic
• indulgent
• sybaritic
• overindulgent
• extravagant
• self-indulgent
• greedy
• voluptuous
• sensuous
• reckless
• gluttonous
• masturbatory
• uncontrolled
• carnal
• self-absorbed
• onanistic
• fleshly
• self-obsessed
• voracious
• incontinent
• rapacious
• intemperate
• splurging
• wanton

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• continent
• temperate
• sober
• abstemious
• abstinent
• austere
• ascetic
• self-denying
• spartan
• self-abnegating
• disciplined
• self-disciplined
• self-controlled
• self-governed

decadent

2 of 2

noun

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

• degenerate
• pervert
• libertine
• rake
• villain
• deviate
• playboy
• debaucher
• profligate
• backslider
• derelict
• debauchee
• rakehell
• perv
• rip
• delinquent
• bankrupt
• heel
• scoundrel
• rogue
• reprobate
• cad
• sicko
• blackguard
• knave
• incorrigible
• lecher
• satyr
• rascal
• sickie
• miscreant
• playgirl

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• saint

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

• hedonist
• voluptuary
• sensualist
• playboy
• sybarite
• Epicurean
• debauchee
• libertine
• glutton
• rake
• epicure
• roué
• bon vivant
• gourmand
• Cyrenaic
• playgirl

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ascetic
• wet blanket
• killjoy
• prude
• spoilsport
• straight arrow
• fuddy-duddy

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of decadent

Adjective

The Caviar Grilled Cheese is one of the most popular and decadent dishes at Caviar Kaspia at The Mark. — Aly Walansky, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026

The casual lunch menu has dishes like crab cakes and roast beef sandwiches, while the Alexander Dobbin dinner menu centers on more decadent eats like lamb chops, veal, and standing beef rib roast. — Cu Fleshman, Travel + Leisure, 27 June 2026

Noun

With its iconic buildings, excellent shopping, and decadent dining, there’s no shortage of things to do in the city that never sleeps. — Jamie Spain, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 May 2026

My second-best dining experience was the opposite of decadent. — Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 2 Feb. 2026