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
But, like a libertine desiring undiscovered pleasures, his appetite for new sensations only seemed to grow with time. — Sebastian Smee, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2026 Last night, designer Aaron Esh—and generations of libertines old and new—brought the legendary British high street superbrand AllSaints back to its roots. — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 4 Sep. 2026 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
  • Many Palestinians view it as corrupt and criticize its security cooperation with Israel.
    — Sam Metz, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Journalist Christiane Amanpour, who stepped out for the occasion in a red jacquard pantsuit by Derek Lam, echoed Clooney’s focus on providing protection for those relentlessly working to hold corrupt systems accountable.
    — Christie Grimm, Vogue, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of corrupt
Noun
  • Hansen, who left NBC in 2013 but remains a leader in the pervert-ambushing space, has spoken about having considered a sting operation against Jeffrey Epstein in 2015.
    — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 25 Sep. 2026
  • This blatant fealty over objectivity perverts the process by choosing personal loyalists instead of independent public servants.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of pervert
Adjective
  • Design choices previously thought to boost power, such as widening the gap between electrodes, actually degraded performance under true operating conditions.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Initially, Pike’s attorneys and several death penalty experts raised the possibility that the drugs may have been too old or degraded to work as intended.
    — Keri Blakinger, ProPublica, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of degraded
Noun
  • All the characters in ‘The Pineapple’ are degenerates, and this show invites you to become one as well.
    — Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Takeshita came across a vaunted screwdriver in the ring as Don Callis hypocritically called him a degenerate.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of degenerate
Adjective
  • The goats’ dire situation first came to light when a former dairy employee raised concerns after witnessing emaciated and sick animals on the property, the former employee told the Idaho Statesman last year.
    — Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 16 Oct. 2026
  • What’s interesting is that Conan Doyle got sick of writing Sherlock Holmes.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of sick
Adjective
  • But this replacement adoption has strings attached, in the form of a father (Fabrizio Odetto) who’d already been trying to get Giulia away from his dissolute ex, and is not about to hand her over to some rich third party.
    — Dennis Harvey, Variety, 30 July 2026
  • His untimely death set the template for the doomed, dissolute musician.
    — David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 2 July 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 Oct. 2026.

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