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
  • His new documentary takes on the cryptocurrency industry, portraying the controversial digital currency as corrupt and in dire need of more regulations.
    — Brent Lang, Variety, 3 Aug. 2026
  • At its core, the crime known as huachicol fiscal is a vast tax evasion scheme centered on falsified paperwork — and corrupt officials.
    — Foreign Correspondent, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of corrupt
Noun
  • These wearables are now a favorite tool among pickup artist content creators, perverts, and pranksters.
    — Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 3 Aug. 2026
  • There follows a leafletting campaign, accusing him of being a pervert and a danger to children.
    — Damon Wise, Deadline, 6 July 2026
Definition of pervert
Adjective
  • Devastating fires across Canada have blown smoke deep into dense US population centers in recent weeks and degraded air quality.
    — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Meet the chicken kidney sponge, a true ecosystem engineer that could use its filter-feeding power to clean the degraded habitats in and around busy harbors.
    — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 30 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
  • Veterinarians for famed Big Bear bald eagle Jackie, who was found sick and on the ground weeks ago, still don’t know what’s wrong with her.
    — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 2 Aug. 2026
  • What stays with me is not just what happened when my father got sick, but what didn’t happen before.
    — Guy Leitersdorf, Forbes.com, 31 July 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 8 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on libertine

Nglish: Translation of libertine for Spanish Speakers

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