1
as in deterioration
a change to a lower state or level
a symbol of the decadence of their once-mighty civilization
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in degradation
a sinking to a state of low moral standards and behavior
clergymen striving to combat decadence and sin in their communities
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of decadence
The insistence on common sense in America, with its echo in Donald Trump’s rhetoric, had a peculiar moral dimension, almost as if the cultural health and vigor of this society depended on its not succumbing to the decadence of the Old World.
—
Andrew Moore, New York Times, 15 May 2025
Director Kip Williams, the former director of the Sydney Theatre Company who brought the play from Australia to the West End and finally to New York, retrofits Oscar Wilde’s 1890 classic of vanity and decadence to a 2025 mindset and visual style.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 1 May 2025
Each and every one also referred back to vintage as a kind of tuning fork of ideas: John was enthralled with the couture techniques of Vionnet and Charles James, with Savile Row tailoring, with 18th-century decadence spliced with London street culture.
—Amanda Harlech, Vogue, 24 Mar. 2025
Wan approaches ice cream with rigor—not like a pastry chef chasing decadence, but more like someone tuning an instrument.
—Clarissa Wei, AFAR Media, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for decadence
Andrew Moore, New York Times, 15 May 2025
Director Kip Williams, the former director of the Sydney Theatre Company who brought the play from Australia to the West End and finally to New York, retrofits Oscar Wilde’s 1890 classic of vanity and decadence to a 2025 mindset and visual style.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 1 May 2025
Each and every one also referred back to vintage as a kind of tuning fork of ideas: John was enthralled with the couture techniques of Vionnet and Charles James, with Savile Row tailoring, with 18th-century decadence spliced with London street culture.
—Amanda Harlech, Vogue, 24 Mar. 2025
Wan approaches ice cream with rigor—not like a pastry chef chasing decadence, but more like someone tuning an instrument.
—Clarissa Wei, AFAR Media, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for decadence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decadence
Noun
-
Respondents perceive a significant reduction in the probability of a severe deterioration in economic prospects.—
Diane Brady,
Fortune,
17 June 2025
-
Rossetti had been working on the CONCERN Study, which had successfully developed an AI model to detect patient deterioration in the hospital setting.—
Alexis Kayser,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 June 2025
Noun
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This natural degradation in data characteristics means an AI that once performed well might start making errors as its environment evolves.—
Ronen Cojocaru,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2025
-
Despite the degradation of its military capabilities, Iran can leverage proxies, criminal organizations abroad, and cyberattacks to hit Israeli, and possibly U.S., targets.—
Nakissa Jahanbani,
The Conversation,
20 June 2025
Noun
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Cheng Xin/Getty Images New home prices fell 0.22 percent in 70 Chinese cities in May, the largest decline in seven months, according to figures from the National Bureau of Statistics.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 June 2025
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America’s wars in Iraq and Afghanistan also contributed significantly to the squandering of its unipolar moment and setting off the decline of the American century.—
Narges Bajoghli,
Time,
19 June 2025
Noun
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Maybe the game doesn’t die in corruption but in the apathy of those who stop caring.—
Jack Lang,
New York Times,
18 June 2025
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Indonesia’s Attorney General’s Office claims that corruption tied to these export permits cost the state 12.3 trillion rupiah ($755 million).—
Lionel Lim,
Fortune,
18 June 2025
Noun
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Where corporate criminal investigations resolve without filing any criminal charges (through a declination or deferred prosecution agreement), companies should expect victims to still voice their views loudly to the Justice Department and beyond.—
Lisa Zornberg,
Forbes.com,
21 May 2025
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The sun's changing declination is what determines whether the sun's rays strike us at a low angle or more directly.—
Joe Rao,
Space.com,
6 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Medical testing conducted at the Institute of Forensic Medicine determined that the baby, a girl, was likely of South American descent and was born alive.—
Michael Nied,
People.com,
24 June 2025
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According to Honda, the purpose of the flight was to demonstrate a number of key technological areas for reusable systems, including flight stability during ascent and descent, and power landing capability.—
David Szondy
June 21,
New Atlas,
21 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Decadence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decadence. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
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