1
as in degradation
a sinking to a state of low moral standards and behavior
a group of urban bohemians who were better known for their libertinism than for their intellectualism
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in corruption
immoral conduct or practices harmful or offensive to society
even by the standards of ancient Rome, Caligula's reign was marked by a libertinism that went beyond the pale
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of libertinism
But in Anglo-American culture, periods of libertinism are followed by periods of restraint.
—
Sean Woods, Rolling Stone, 25 May 2026
Contrary to the crusty, chaotic libertinism of their shows, the band is disarmingly sweet and funny in person despite being duly crude.
—Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2026
Still, a story that’s equal parts an exploration of libertinism and also a scorching take on the elite remained a tempting narrative to explore.
—Abbey White, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Nov. 2024
To some, the campus became the place where the children of American postwar affluence failed to live up to all that had been invested in them, opting instead for campus protest, radical politics, and libertinism.
—Adrian Daub / Made By History, TIME, 3 Sep. 2024
Where his first two books take Bulgaria as backdrop and a certain kind of soft-skinned, deeply feeling libertinism as narrative vehicle, Small Rain functions as a midlife sequel, one that is quietly, unabashedly romantic.
—Sarah Thankam Mathews, Vulture, 29 Aug. 2024
In other words, liberals refuse to acknowledge that political liberalism gives rise to private libertinism.
—Becca Rothfeld, Washington Post, 3 July 2024
Each letter affords Stauffer a chance to ruminate on whatever facet of the poet’s history and character happened to be glittering most brightly at the time, from his devotion to the cause of Greek independence in the fight against Ottoman rule to the libertinism for which he is famed.
—The New Yorker, 12 June 2024
The era of libertinism — a philosophy devoted to the pursuit of pleasure — died out in the 19th century.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Jan. 2024
Sean Woods, Rolling Stone, 25 May 2026
Contrary to the crusty, chaotic libertinism of their shows, the band is disarmingly sweet and funny in person despite being duly crude.
—Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2026
Still, a story that’s equal parts an exploration of libertinism and also a scorching take on the elite remained a tempting narrative to explore.
—Abbey White, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Nov. 2024
To some, the campus became the place where the children of American postwar affluence failed to live up to all that had been invested in them, opting instead for campus protest, radical politics, and libertinism.
—Adrian Daub / Made By History, TIME, 3 Sep. 2024
Where his first two books take Bulgaria as backdrop and a certain kind of soft-skinned, deeply feeling libertinism as narrative vehicle, Small Rain functions as a midlife sequel, one that is quietly, unabashedly romantic.
—Sarah Thankam Mathews, Vulture, 29 Aug. 2024
In other words, liberals refuse to acknowledge that political liberalism gives rise to private libertinism.
—Becca Rothfeld, Washington Post, 3 July 2024
Each letter affords Stauffer a chance to ruminate on whatever facet of the poet’s history and character happened to be glittering most brightly at the time, from his devotion to the cause of Greek independence in the fight against Ottoman rule to the libertinism for which he is famed.
—The New Yorker, 12 June 2024
The era of libertinism — a philosophy devoted to the pursuit of pleasure — died out in the 19th century.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Jan. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for libertinism
Noun
-
For millennia, glacial ice and freezing temperatures protected Ötzi’s body — and microbes — from degradation and decay.—
Mindy Weisberger,
CNN Money,
8 June 2026
-
Researchers also confirmed the antenna could split beams between multiple users with minimal signal degradation.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
8 June 2026
Noun
-
Plots often involved ecological disaster, war, corruption, corporate exploitation and extraction.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 June 2026
-
Allegations of corruption, fraud, insider trading, cronyism, loss of competent intelligence and reckless actions including a new war.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
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
-
Following this tendency might finally cure us not only of indigestion but also the ancient immorality of eating other organisms.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The cult wants to live off the land and not rely on any technology in the apocalypse, and believes the Cordyceps brain infection was a punishment from God for the world’s sins.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
-
This lifelong Black Catholic bears no illusions about the sins of my church.—
Laura Washington,
Mercury News,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
Representing a fierce mythical demon or gatekeeper, the bulky figure would have warded off evil and protected the temple’s sacred space.—
Anne Doran,
ARTnews.com,
11 June 2026
-
Together, the two men battle the forces of evil, each other, and their own demons on the path to salvation.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
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
-
This lawless crew shares dramaturgical DNA with the vice figures from medieval morality plays, personifications of sinfulness who would confide their schemes to the audience and make theatergoers their co-conspirators in a riveting game that obviously left its mark on a young Shakespeare.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
This kind of depravity, licentiousness and polemical theatrics has no place on such a traditional and once wholesome presentation of the coming of a new year in our great nation and especially on the eve of the 250th anniversary of the greatest experiment in democracy and freedom in history.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 Jan. 2026
-
This kind of depravity, licentiousness and polemical theatrics has no place on such a traditional and once-wholesome presentation of the coming of a new year, especially on the eve of the 250th anniversary of the greatest experiment in democracy and freedom in history.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
3 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Libertinism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/libertinism. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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