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
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 decadent
Erik Morse, Vogue, 26 June 2025
Past the tiny front gate, the space reveals its captivatingly decadent allure.
—Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 20 June 2025
Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 14 Apr. 2025
Here’s a look at some of the most decadent and original Valentine’s Day packages on offer this year.
—Devorah Lev-Tov, Robb Report, 13 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decadent
Adjective
As with many future summer noir films, the body of water serves as a place of moral suspension, decadent daydreaming, and physical danger.
—Erik Morse, Vogue, 26 June 2025
Past the tiny front gate, the space reveals its captivatingly decadent allure.
—Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 20 June 2025
Noun
Who would have predicted 40 years earlier that his last great work, published in 2009, would be a faithful illustration of the entire Book of Genesis, the decadent Mr. Natural replaced by the moral force of the Old Testament God?
—Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 14 Apr. 2025
Here’s a look at some of the most decadent and original Valentine’s Day packages on offer this year.
—Devorah Lev-Tov, Robb Report, 13 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decadent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decadent
Adjective
-
In a guest role that’s been extremely well hidden in the months leading up to the premiere, Bradley Cooper turns heel as Elijah Gemstone, a degenerate con man who sees right through Abel Grieves’s lucrative scam before plugging him in the forehead.—
Scott Tobias,
Vulture,
9 Mar. 2025
-
In theory, the walls of carbon nanotubes house a sea of degenerate electrons that have a similar density to metals.—
The Physics arXiv Blog,
Discover Magazine,
14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Many of Trump's supporters dislike Zelensky, viewing him as corrupt and an obstacle to peace.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 June 2025
-
Bates is Emmy-worthy as Madeline, a folksy, senior-citizen lawyer-slash-undercover grieving mom out to destroy a corrupt firm, and the show mixes clever case-of-the-week intrigue with heartfelt stories of grief, betrayal, and regret.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
25 June 2025
Adjective
-
Fons’ Mandane was every bit as gripping, too, sharpening her luxurious mezzo to deadly points in the first act and lacing it with sobs in the third.—
Hannah Edgar,
Chicago Tribune,
28 June 2025
-
The weekend is by no means over, but one extremely private ultra-Venetian venue has been thoroughly and seamlessly enjoyed, on June 26, with a dinner for the couple and their guests at the immense and immensely luxurious Palazzo Brandolini, presiding over the south bank of the Grand Canal.—
Guy Martin,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
Noun
-
Special-guest pervert Frank (Sam Rockwell) showcases a monologue about his autogynephilia.—
Armond White,
National Review,
9 Apr. 2025
-
Just when things are looking up — a haughty British couple leaves this daughter of Oxfordshire a handsome tip — the dinner pervert turns up for his morning coffee.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
23 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Her Daphne was a realist, a hedonist and, like Fahy, a great hang.—
Alexis Soloski,
New York Times,
16 May 2025
-
The Weeknd discography plays like one big party with noxious vibes, thrown by a hedonist less interested in a good time than numbing the torment of an existence comprising coke-and-sizzurp binges, emotionless supermodel threeways, and morning-afters of bleak reflection.—
Charles Bramesco,
IndieWire,
15 May 2025
Adjective
-
And there’s an intriguing romance between Nancy and Hamish (James Musgrave), a slightly effete soldier whose lack of commitment, and indeed libido, suggests her taste in men might not be as sharp as her wit.—
Jon O'Brien,
IndieWire,
17 June 2025
-
In this view, other European immigrants were unsuitable for civilizing the frontier—Southern Europeans were effete and decadent while Eastern European Jews were hapless in the woods and better-suited to urban, commercial spaces.—
Livia Gershon,
JSTOR Daily,
5 June 2025
Adjective
-
Shot on low-grade digital cameras that made every image look even more apocalyptic and degraded, the film remains utterly terrifying, boasting excellent supporting turns from Naomie Harris and Brendan Gleeson as Jim’s fellow survivors.—
Tim Grierson,
Vulture,
20 June 2025
-
The good news is that General Mills is more than 60% of the way to achieving its goal of advancing regenerative agriculture—farming practices that regenerate degraded soil—on a million acres of land by 2030.—
Dave Levinthal,
Fortune,
16 June 2025
Adjective
-
Joined by four extremely sensual dancers, Starr powered through her hits, fully choreographed and vocally impressive.—
jsonline.com,
jsonline.com,
4 July 2025
-
To preserve two years worth of wartime love letters that are frisky, sensual, imaginative and, above all, honest.—
Michael Barnes,
Austin American Statesman,
2 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Decadent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decadent. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share