as in passionate
having a strong sexual desire
a moralist who decried what she regarded as the licentious and corrupt culture of the entertainment industry
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Recent Examples of licentious
She’s preoccupied though, training a gun on the facility’s head officer, Colonel Steven J. Lockjaw (Sean Penn), whose RFK Jr. rasp and licentious focus on Perfidia sets him up as a comedic draw and a convincing picture of America’s sanctioned white violence.
—
Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 24 Nov. 2025
Indeed, Black women have historically been viewed by whites as unclean and licentious and therefore undeserving of protection.
—Literary Hub, 21 Aug. 2025
His strained, sandpaper-coarse timbre served as an ideal conduit for songs concerned with boisterous revelries, shady agreements, licentious intentions and musical pleasures.
—Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 25 May 2025
The mansion has been renovated before, and previous mayor Dave Bing, when newly elected, was transparent about the amount used on upgrades, ending the shroud of licentious rumors regarding the mansion since 2010.
—Leah Olajide, Freep.com, 22 May 2025
Woodhull’s inability to counter the caricature of her as evil and licentious doomed her campaign.
—Allison Lange / Made By History, TIME, 6 Aug. 2024
With his passing Thursday morning at the age of 65, Variety looks at the most memorable moments of Shane MacGowan’s licentious legacy.
—A.d. Amorosi, Variety, 30 Nov. 2023
Ahmed is referring to the era in Tangier's history, beginning in the interwar period and peaking in the 1950s, when the city served as a licentious playground for a motley assortment of artists, socialites, and hedonists.
—Stephanie Rafanelli, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2023
Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 24 Nov. 2025
Indeed, Black women have historically been viewed by whites as unclean and licentious and therefore undeserving of protection.
—Literary Hub, 21 Aug. 2025
His strained, sandpaper-coarse timbre served as an ideal conduit for songs concerned with boisterous revelries, shady agreements, licentious intentions and musical pleasures.
—Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 25 May 2025
The mansion has been renovated before, and previous mayor Dave Bing, when newly elected, was transparent about the amount used on upgrades, ending the shroud of licentious rumors regarding the mansion since 2010.
—Leah Olajide, Freep.com, 22 May 2025
Woodhull’s inability to counter the caricature of her as evil and licentious doomed her campaign.
—Allison Lange / Made By History, TIME, 6 Aug. 2024
With his passing Thursday morning at the age of 65, Variety looks at the most memorable moments of Shane MacGowan’s licentious legacy.
—A.d. Amorosi, Variety, 30 Nov. 2023
Ahmed is referring to the era in Tangier's history, beginning in the interwar period and peaking in the 1950s, when the city served as a licentious playground for a motley assortment of artists, socialites, and hedonists.
—Stephanie Rafanelli, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for licentious
Adjective
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Hite argued, not always with analytical grace but with passionate sincerity, for a more egalitarian and empathetic world in and out of the bedroom.—
Margaret Talbot,
New Yorker,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Kepner is passionate about accountability and service journalism and encourages anyone to reach out to her to tell their story or share a tip.—
Lily Kepner,
Austin American Statesman,
2 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Similar to when the on-air incident happened in 2023, news of Kuiper’s return was a hot topic Wednesday night on social media, eliciting strong opinions in support and against Kuiper’s return.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
26 Feb. 2026
-
In the mornings, do a lap of the buffet to choose between made-to-order omelets, fresh fruit, cereals, pancakes and waffles, breads and pastries, and rotating hot sides including breakfast meats and hash browns.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
26 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Salinas was convicted in June 2007 of lewd or lascivious acts on a minor, according to the criminal complaint.—
City News Service,
Oc Register,
28 Feb. 2026
-
In any other movie, Anna would be the main event, and Keough rises to the challenge with the most lascivious performance since Selma Blair as N-cup stripper Ursula Udders in John Waters’ A Dirty Shame.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
This Valentine’s Day, why not treat yourself to a perfume that beckons lustful strangers in a way not seen since Monica Bellucci at that Sicilian piazza in Malèna.—
Air Mail,
Air Mail,
14 Feb. 2026
-
The two admit to having always loved each other (that's not a spoiler; the book is nearly 200 years old) and begin a steamy, lustful affair.—
Amanda Luberto,
AZCentral.com,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Licentious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/licentious. Accessed 4 Mar. 2026.
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