libertine 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of libertinenext
as in corrupt
having or showing lowered moral character or standards his libertine sister had got caught up in the urban drug scene and had died of an overdose

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

libertine

2 of 2

noun

ˈli-bər-ˌtēn How to pronounce libertine (audio)
as in pervert
a person who has sunk below the normal moral standard the legend of Don Juan depicts him as a playboy and libertine

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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 libertine
Adjective
If there really was a class of unaccountable, libertine global élites plundering the world, then wasn’t Trump obviously a member? — Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2026 Following Matthew Perry's death in 2023, the actress reflected on her time portraying his character's memorable mother, the libertine erotic novelist Nora Bing. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Nov. 2025
Noun
The protagonist of A Love Story is a lover boy, a libertine, a gossip, a flirt. — The Atlantic, 4 Dec. 2025 The libertines will begin the film in suits. — David Wingrave, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for libertine
Recent Examples of Synonyms for libertine
  1. corrupt
  2. pervert
  3. degraded
  4. degenerate
  5. sick
  6. dissolute
Adjective
  • But when it’s tied to a famously corrupt institution like FIFA, the claims of grave injustice intensify and feel almost like the buildup to war.
    — Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 14 July 2026
  • The Chinese variant actually stimulates economic activity as corrupt officials sell the rights to monetize unproductive state assets to private enterprises.
    — Andy Browne, semafor.com, 14 July 2026
Definition of corrupt
Noun
  • There follows a leafletting campaign, accusing him of being a pervert and a danger to children.
    — Damon Wise, Deadline, 6 July 2026
  • You are being spied on by a pervert.
    — Jay Ruttenberg, New Yorker, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of pervert
Adjective
  • The result is not only deception, but degraded accountability.
    — Henry Bair, STAT, 14 July 2026
  • The nearly five-minute clip becomes progressively more degraded as the recording continues.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 10 July 2026
Definition of degraded
Noun
  • But while his recent albums with Tony Seltzer and Subjxct 5 resurfaced some of the dynamism brought by Sporting Life during his younger years as the fire-breathing degenerate who tied Ratking together, that energy takes a backseat here.
    — Lei Takanashi, Pitchfork, 16 June 2026
  • Now playback all the degenerate, violent entertainment Julianne has happily participated in throughout her career.
    — Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 17 May 2026
Definition of degenerate
Adjective
  • If a sick animal did end up at a slaughterhouse, the US Department of Agriculture’s thorough meat inspection system would very likely spot it, separate it from others and deem it US Suspect.
    — Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 5 July 2026
  • But when McGinley was a teen-ager, Michael became sick with AIDS and moved home to New Jersey.
    — Chris Wiley, New Yorker, 4 July 2026
Definition of sick
Adjective
  • His untimely death set the template for the doomed, dissolute musician.
    — David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 2 July 2026
  • First filmed before the pandemic and launched in its throes, a survivor of the era of streaming wars, corporate consolidation and Hollywood strikes, HBO’s addictively dissolute workplace drama remains as ambitious and authoritative as ever.
    — Matt Brennan, Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2026
Definition of dissolute

Browse Nearby Words

libertinage
libertine
libertines
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Cite this Entry

“Libertine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/libertine. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

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