decadency

noun

ˈde-kə-dᵊn-sē How to pronounce decadency (audio)
Definition of decadencynext
as in degradation
a sinking to a state of low moral standards and behavior a novel that examines the decadency of a group of overprivileged teens in an affluent suburb

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 decadency Fashion director and photographer Mert Alas has merged his unique take on luxury fashion with a dose of decadency and self-indulgence. — Angela Lei, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decadency
  1. degradation
  2. corruption
Noun
  • The company noted that driving conditions, charging habits and climate also influence battery aging, meaning two otherwise identical vehicles can experience different rates of degradation over time.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 20 July 2026
  • Material degradation was negligible even as compared with previous studies on reusable stereolithography resins.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 19 July 2026
Definition of degradation
Noun
  • They are accused of encouraging dissent against the regime and were convicted of broad charges of corruption, CNN’s Isobel Yeung reports.
    — Sophia Saifi, CNN Money, 16 July 2026
  • Each saw human nature as susceptible to corruption by base impulses and self-interest.
    — Donovan Fifield, The Conversation, 16 July 2026
Definition of corruption

Browse Nearby Words

decadences
decadency
decadent
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Decadency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decadency. Accessed 22 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of stalwart

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
thumbnail graphic with text word of the day quiz
Weekly "Word of the Day" Quiz See how well you know each Word of the Day for Ju...
See All