as in degradation
a sinking to a state of low moral standards and behavior
pictorial advertisements for chic clothing and fragrances in which drug addiction and other forms of moral turpitude are depicted as alternative fashion statements
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Recent Examples of turpitude
These alienating qualities don’t hold Prophecy or its characters back; the Sisters’ moral turpitude drives both the empire and the intrigue forward.
—
Emma Stefansky, The Atlantic, 21 Dec. 2024
The youth of chaos and moral turpitude has taken over the city.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 2 Nov. 2024
Last week there was another article about three former major league pitchers who cannot find jobs in a depleted pitching market because of their off-field activities, indiscretions, moral turpitude, etc.
—Dan Freedman, Forbes, 16 Sep. 2024
Mueller’s chronicle of prevarication, moral turpitude, and incompetence is dispiriting, but his presentation of rigorous legal reasoning and strict adherence to statutes, case law, and procedural rules is inspiring.
—Stephen Kotkin, Foreign Affairs, 21 May 2019
See All Example Sentences for turpitude
Emma Stefansky, The Atlantic, 21 Dec. 2024
The youth of chaos and moral turpitude has taken over the city.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 2 Nov. 2024
Last week there was another article about three former major league pitchers who cannot find jobs in a depleted pitching market because of their off-field activities, indiscretions, moral turpitude, etc.
—Dan Freedman, Forbes, 16 Sep. 2024
Mueller’s chronicle of prevarication, moral turpitude, and incompetence is dispiriting, but his presentation of rigorous legal reasoning and strict adherence to statutes, case law, and procedural rules is inspiring.
—Stephen Kotkin, Foreign Affairs, 21 May 2019
See All Example Sentences for turpitude
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turpitude
Noun
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The Supreme Court handed a win Friday to oil and gas companies fighting lawsuits over coastal land loss and environmental degradation in Louisiana.—
Lindsay Whitehurst,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Apr. 2026
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The Supreme Court handed a win Friday to oil and gas companies fighting lawsuits over coastal land loss and environmental degradation in Louisiana.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The Vatican says fighting corruption in the mineral-rich country and insisting on the correct uses of political authority are expected to be themes of Leo’s visit, which starts Wednesday with his arrival in Yaounde, the capital.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 Apr. 2026
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The election reflects Peru’s deep political instability — nine presidents in ten years — amid voter anger over crime and corruption, though the country’s economy has remained relatively resilient.—
Franklin Briceño,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Turpitude.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turpitude. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.
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