depravity

noun

di-ˈpra-və-tē How to pronounce depravity (audio)
Definition of depravitynext
1
as in degradation
a sinking to a state of low moral standards and behavior regards the widespread acceptance of gambling as another sign of the depravity of today's society

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2
as in corruption
immoral conduct or practices harmful or offensive to society a section of the city long known as den of depravity

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in badness
the state or quality of being utterly evil the depravity of the demons and devils in many tales of horror

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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 depravity Raves for Montana Levi Blanco’s lush costumes in the courtly, Elizabethan style could be overheard around the table, and rightfully so; their opulence and sick glamour struck the perfect note for the depravity of the piece’s villainous couple. — Christopher Barnard, Vogue, 23 Sep. 2026 In fact, Israel built its future wagering that the Palestinians violently displaced and expelled in the Nakba would eventually move on, assimilate, forget the depravity that ripped them from their land. — Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2026 Every other entry either dwells in its characters’ filth throughout or reveals a new level of depravity as the climactic joke. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 17 Aug. 2026 Major League Eating organizes the event, and its International Federation of Competitive Eating is the governing body that oversees such depravity. — Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 4 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for depravity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for depravity
  1. degradation
  2. corruption
  3. badness
  4. sin
  5. sinfulness
  6. evil
  7. atrocity
  8. immorality
Noun
  • Another factor is the degradation of Russia’s refinery infrastructure, which has sustained considerable damage from Ukrainian attacks.
    — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Oxford Economics found that 47% of technology leaders said customers are often the first to detect service degradation or outages.
    — Rohan Joshi, Forbes.com, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of degradation
Noun
  • Johannesburg’s mayoral race reveals a city frustrated by years of corruption and crumbling infrastructure – and a country at a crossroad.
    — Ryan Lenora Brown, Christian Science Monitor, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Those interests include concerns about affordability, the Iran war and corruption.
    — Dan Mangan, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of corruption
Noun
  • But, as part of a meticulous reconstruction of a type of eatery known for mediocre food, does its badness actually count as a mark of success?
    — Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Leaping around in time, Gilroy draws us into Alex’s world with an effervescent wink at the badness of his behavior.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of badness
Noun
  • Some would argue that Paxton’s sins are more exotic than those of your ordinary Texan.
    — Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Just before the Devil drawing is a churchman’s confession of a lengthy list of sins.
    — Laura Payne, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of sin
Noun
  • But soon after, in Genesis 18, God tells Abraham of plans to investigate reports of sinfulness in Sodom and Gomorrah.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 July 2026
  • Denver author Josiah Hesse was raised by Evangelical parents in churches that believe in the torments of hell, that their poverty is due to their sinfulness and lack of faith.
    — Sandra Dallas, Denver Post, 1 Feb. 2026
Definition of sinfulness
Noun
  • For communities across Sacramento and California, Diwali — the ancient Hindu Festival of Lights — comes with its joyful tradition of illumination to symbolize good over evil, but this year’s celebration is marked with a shadow of disappointment.
    — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2026
  • That is what makes the stalking statute similar to the murder statute in terms of the evils or harms both are looking to prevent.
    — Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of evil
Noun
  • Even the worst atrocity has its rightful place and is necessary to the scheme of things, even adding to the beauty.
    — Artforum, Artforum, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Today, 80 years on, survivors who witnessed the atrocities that Marie-Claude so meticulously put before the court — and the watching world — are sadly dwindling in number.
    — Natalie Livingstone, Sun Sentinel, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of atrocity
Noun
  • Since the middle of the twentieth century, societies around the globe have undergone a collective revolution in standards and attitudes towards obscenity and immorality.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Independents said the worst thing about Republicans was their loyalty to Trump (10%), perceptions of corruption and self-enrichment (8%), dishonesty, hypocrisy or immorality (7%), a lack of concern for ordinary people or cruelty (6%), and ineffective and weak or unqualified leadership (5%).
    — Emily Guskin, ABC News, 27 May 2026
Definition of immorality

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depraving
depravity
deprecate
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Cite this Entry

“Depravity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/depravity. Accessed 8 Nov. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on depravity

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about depravity

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