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
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Recent Examples of decadent
Olivia Kan-Sperling, Artforum, 2 May 2026
Cushy seating is ideal for napping, reading, working from home, or avoiding the news of course, especially when done up in decadent velvet or plush sheepskin.
—Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 9 Apr. 2026
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Apr. 2026
Heather might bring something homemade and decadent to finish, like Ina Garten’s chocolate brownie pudding.
—Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for decadent
Adjective
La beauté bizarre of the Lobster Boy is decadent.
—Olivia Kan-Sperling, Artforum, 2 May 2026
Cushy seating is ideal for napping, reading, working from home, or avoiding the news of course, especially when done up in decadent velvet or plush sheepskin.
—Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 9 Apr. 2026
Noun
Like the rest of the menu, desserts are light but decadent.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Apr. 2026
Heather might bring something homemade and decadent to finish, like Ina Garten’s chocolate brownie pudding.
—Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for decadent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decadent
Adjective
-
Now playback all the degenerate, violent entertainment Julianne has happily participated in throughout her career.—
Lori A Bashian,
FOXNews.com,
17 May 2026
-
If dopamine neurons in the basal ganglia degenerate as happens in Parkinson’s disease, movements become harder to initiate and slower once they are commenced.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 May 2026
Adjective
-
The film explores themes of power and coming of age in a corrupt society, with campus culture wars and climate grief at its center.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
16 May 2026
-
Dahlia, a disillusioned police aide, breaks into the mansion of the corrupt police chief Bernal and steals the money from his safe, unloading the funds to slum dwellers whose settlement Bernal razed down.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
15 May 2026
Adjective
-
Adding insult to injury, Hasna accuses Meriem of using her body to get a cushier, better paying job as maid inside the boss’ luxurious home.—
Jay Weissberg,
Variety,
19 May 2026
-
Side, back, and stomach sleepers all praise the pillows’ softness, luxurious feel, breathability, and coolness.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
Nora Ephron for depressed perverts.—
Antonia Blyth,
Deadline,
16 Feb. 2026
-
You are being spied on by a pervert.—
Jay Ruttenberg,
New Yorker,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
And what fame gave me, what addiction fueled was opportunity for endless consent, which led me to be a hedonist and a fool and an exploiter of women.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2026
-
And what fame gave me and what my addiction fueled was opportunity for endless consent, which led me to be a hedonist and a fool and an exploiter of women.—
Lindsay Kimble,
PEOPLE,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Scarf critics accuse the accessory—and by extension, its wearers—of being effete or affected.—
Eric Twardzik,
Robb Report,
1 Dec. 2025
-
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
Adjective
-
But in 2003, it was considered too degraded to be capable of producing a match using methods available at the time.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
8 May 2026
-
And here was someone who was being completely humiliated, publicly humiliated, degraded, disgraced, handed a punishment that no member of the family has had — to have all their titles taken away, to be effectively un-royal, de-royaled.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2026
Adjective
-
Venus, planet of relationships, dances into Cancer from May 18 until June 13, which will bring a sensual, tender, and compassionate energy to our lives — and can improve connections with family or encourage us to cozy up at home.—
Kyle Thomas,
PEOPLE,
17 May 2026
-
Other demos are meant to be more sensual or shocking.—
Victoria M. Walker,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Decadent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decadent. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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