Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

decadent

adjective

Synonyms and Antonyms of decadent

1 having lost forcefulness, courage, or spirit
  • social critics claimed that their culture had become decadent and weak
Synonyms of decadent

decayed, degenerate, effete, overripe, washed-up
Words Related to decadent

overrefined, precious

decaying, declining, dying, failing, waning

debilitated, enervate, enervated, enfeebled, feeble, frail, languid, sapped, soft, wasted, weak, weakened, wimpy

dissolute, immoral

debased, debauched, degraded, demoralized, depraved, dissipated, dissolute
Antonyms of decadent

undecadent
2 having or showing lowered moral character or standards
  • opponents of gambling casinos claim that gambling is a decadent form of entertainment
Synonyms of decadent

corrupt, debased, debauched, degenerate, degraded, demoralized, depraved, dissipated, dissolute, jackleg, libertine, loose, perverse, perverted, rakehell (or rakehelly), rakish, reprobate, sick, unclean, unwholesome, warped
Words Related to decadent

bent [chiefly British], crooked, cutthroat, dishonest, unethical, unprincipled, unscrupulous

contaminated, spoiled, tainted

bad, evil, immoral, iniquitous, miscreant, nefarious, sinful, vicious, wicked
Near Antonyms of decadent

incorruptible

ethical, honest, principled

good, moral, righteous, virtuous
Antonyms of decadent

pure, uncorrupt, uncorrupted
3 given to or marked by excessive gratification of one's desires
  • the impressionable heiress couldnʼt resist the decadent temptations of the jet-set life
Synonyms of decadent

hedonistic, indulgent, luxurious, overindulgent, self-indulgent, sybaritic
Words Related to decadent

carnal, fleshly, sensual, sensuous, voluptuous

masturbatory, onanistic, self-absorbed, self-obsessed

gluttonous, greedy, rapacious, voracious

extravagant, incontinent, intemperate, reckless, splurging, uncontrolled, wanton
Near Antonyms of decadent

abstemious, abstinent, continent, sober, temperate

ascetic (also ascetical), austere, spartan

disciplined, self-controlled, self-disciplined, self-governed
Antonyms of decadent

self-abnegating, self-denying

decadent

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of decadent

1 a person who has sunk below the normal moral standard
  • avant-garde artists who were scorned by the bourgeoisie as talentless decadents
Synonyms of decadent

backslider, debauchee, debaucher, degenerate, deviate, libertine, perv, pervert, profligate, rake, rakehell, rip
Words Related to decadent

bankrupt, delinquent, derelict, incorrigible

blackguard, cad, heel, knave, miscreant, rascal, reprobate, rogue, scoundrel, villain

lecher, playboy, playgirl, satyr
Near Antonyms of decadent

saint
2 a person whose life is devoted to luxury and sensual pleasures
  • a decadent who squandered her once considerable family fortune
Synonyms of decadent

debauchee, hedonist, sensualist, sybarite, voluptuary
Words Related to decadent

Cyrenaic, Epicurean

bon vivant, epicure, glutton, gourmand

libertine, playboy, rake, roué

playgirl
Near Antonyms of decadent

killjoy, spoilsport, wet blanket

fuddy-duddy, prude, straight arrow
Antonyms of decadent

ascetic

Learn More about decadent

  1. Dictionary: Definition of decadent Spanish Central: Translation of decadent Nglish: Translation of decadent for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of decadent for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about decadent

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up decadent? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

WORD OF THE DAY

hoopla

excited commotion or publicity

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. crosshair Roger Stone posts controversial photo

  2. feckless Former RNC chair derides Trump

  3. emergency, national emergency Trump declares crisis over wall

SEE ALL

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games