Synonyms of decadent

decadent 1 of 2

adjective

ˈde-kə-dənt 

1

as in degenerate

having lost forcefulness, courage, or spirit

social critics claimed that their culture had become decadent and weak

Synonyms & Similar Words

• degenerate
• effete
• weak
• decayed
• overripe
• degraded
• soft
• weakened
• feeble
• washed-up
• precious
• failing
• immoral
• dissolute
• depraved
• dying
• decaying
• languid
• debauched
• declining
• wasted
• waning
• enfeebled
• debased
• frail
• wimpy
• debilitated
• enervated
• demoralized
• overrefined
• dissipated
• sapped
• enervate

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

• corrupt
• degraded
• sick
• depraved
• debauched
• dissolute
• degenerate
• perverted
• debased
• crooked
• perverse
• loose
• libertine
• warped
• spoiled
• unwholesome
• rakish
• vicious
• unclean
• dishonest
• demoralized
• immoral
• dissipated
• wicked
• evil
• bad
• reprobate
• sinful
• unscrupulous
• unprincipled
• rakehell
• unethical
• cutthroat
• bent
• jackleg
• iniquitous
• contaminated
• nefarious
• tainted
• miscreant

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• pure
• incorruptible
• uncorrupted
• ethical
• uncorrupt
• honest
• virtuous
• good
• moral
• principled
• righteous

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

• luxurious
• sensual
• hedonistic
• indulgent
• sybaritic
• overindulgent
• extravagant
• self-indulgent
• greedy
• voluptuous
• sensuous
• reckless
• gluttonous
• masturbatory
• uncontrolled
• carnal
• self-absorbed
• onanistic
• fleshly
• self-obsessed
• voracious
• incontinent
• rapacious
• intemperate
• splurging
• wanton

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• continent
• temperate
• sober
• abstemious
• abstinent
• austere
• ascetic
• self-denying
• spartan
• self-abnegating
• disciplined
• self-disciplined
• self-controlled
• self-governed

decadent

2 of 2

noun

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

• degenerate
• pervert
• libertine
• rake
• villain
• deviate
• playboy
• debaucher
• profligate
• backslider
• derelict
• debauchee
• rakehell
• perv
• rip
• delinquent
• bankrupt
• heel
• scoundrel
• rogue
• reprobate
• cad
• sicko
• blackguard
• knave
• incorrigible
• lecher
• satyr
• rascal
• sickie
• miscreant
• playgirl

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• saint

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

• hedonist
• voluptuary
• sensualist
• playboy
• sybarite
• Epicurean
• debauchee
• libertine
• glutton
• rake
• epicure
• roué
• bon vivant
• gourmand
• Cyrenaic
• playgirl

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ascetic
• wet blanket
• killjoy
• prude
• spoilsport
• straight arrow
• fuddy-duddy

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of decadent

Adjective

Ameni is Brazilian, so look for nods to the country too, like decadent chocolate truffles known as brigadeiros. — Kyle Beechey, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Aug. 2026

Serve it warm with a scoop of ice cream for a bright, decadent summer dessert. — Erin Merhar, Southern Living, 13 Aug. 2026

Noun

But decadents only break taboos in a bloodless, symbolic way—they’re too lazy and refined for murder. — Olivia Kan-Sperling, Artforum, 2 May 2026

Hulu, May 15 The battle is back on in the second season of Rivals, the decadent, soapy ’80s ensemble drama led by David Tennant and Alex Hassell. — Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 30 Apr. 2026