depraved 1 of 2

adjective

di-ˈprāvd How to pronounce depraved (audio)
Definition of depravednext
as in corrupt
having or showing lowered moral character or standards the depraved actions of a gang of madmen who had gained control of an entire nation

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

depraved

2 of 2

verb

past tense of deprave
as in perverted
to lower in character, dignity, or quality the belief that pornography depraves society as a whole

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 depraved
Adjective
But Cheekface will still be here, filtering our depraved mutterings into sardonic bangers. — Zach Schonfeld, Pitchfork, 3 Aug. 2026 Jacobs collapses the distance between the nation’s lofty ideals and its depraved slave regime. — Brian Delay, Mercury News, 4 July 2026
Verb
Online court records show he is charged with first-degree murder dangerous depraved without premeditation. — Kc Baker, PEOPLE, 2 Apr. 2026 Murdering a teenaged iconic athlete shows how deeply depraved the Iranian leadership is. — Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 19 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for depraved
Recent Examples of Synonyms for depraved
  1. corrupt
  2. perverted
  3. degraded
  4. corrupted
  5. sick
  6. weakened
  7. humiliated
  8. debauched
Adjective
  • Nora was impacted by a corrupt boss and his choice to cover up a crime, which simultaneously tanked her own career ambition.
    — Caitlin White, Variety, 10 Nov. 2026
  • The voters repudiated the president in every way, growing tired of his lies, corrupt administration, unqualified Cabinet members, tariffs, needless wars, ongoing inflation, and undignified and boorish behavior.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of corrupt
Verb
  • The government itself, which is only the mode which the people have chosen to execute their will, is equally liable to be abused and perverted before the people can act through it.
    — René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026
  • The four Egyptians were never formally notified of the charges and never appeared in court, an anomaly that their lawyers said perverted the course of the trial.
    — New York Times, New York Times, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of perverted
Adjective
  • Building codes should reward practices that preserve vegetation, reduce compaction, and restore degraded land.
    — Mark Trebilcock, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2026
  • In my experience, degraded fluid can sometimes cause clutch chatter, vibration, or a humming noise.
    — John Paul Senior Manager Public Affairs And Traffic Safety Aaa Northeast, Hartford Courant, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of degraded
Verb
  • Vietnam, in his telling, had corrupted the very purpose that gave American power its meaning.
    — David Sacks, Foreign Affairs, 6 Nov. 2026
  • At every stop, Talarico has argued that, for too long, the wealthy and their donations have corrupted politics, and that this corruption has fueled the affordability crisis.
    — STEVEN SLOAN, Arkansas Online, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of corrupted
Adjective
  • Federal prosecutors allege that Davis recruited people for an associated scheme involving the submission of fraudulent claims for sick and family leave credits and employee retention credits.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 13 Nov. 2026
  • The virus lives on surfaces and in the air two hours after a sick person leaves the room.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 Nov. 2026
Definition of sick
Verb
  • The Times also found that the towers had no visible shear walls, and that the uniform orientation of their columns weakened these high-rises against seismic forces.
    — Avery Schmitz, CNN Money, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Once a symbol of superlative government competence, the nation’s weakened federal space agency has largely outsourced its extraterrestrial ambitions to the private sector.
    — Peter Jamison, Washington Post, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of weakened
Verb
  • From coast to coast, and in some of the reddest parts of the country, Republicans were humiliated.
    — Lauren Peller, ABC News, 10 Nov. 2026
  • Dobrik eventually cut the bit from the video, leaving Paytas feeling humiliated.
    — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2026
Definition of humiliated
Verb
  • Just as bright, witty, and debauched as their namesake, this unique protagonist is on a path of self-discovery, gaining insight into not just their gender identity, but also their preternatural attraction to transgression and risk.
    — Judy Berman, Time, 8 July 2026
  • And regular Kate Moss’s turn on the decks one memorable, and debauched, night in 2015 had revelers literally swinging from the chandeliers.
    — Nick Scott, Robb Report, 13 June 2026
Definition of debauched

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Cite this Entry

“Depraved.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/depraved. Accessed 14 Nov. 2026.

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