turpitude
noun
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Turpitude comes from Latin turpis, meaning "vile" or "base." The word is often heard in the phrase "moral turpitude," an expression used in law to designate an act or behavior that gravely violates the sentiment or accepted standard of the community. A criminal offense that involves moral turpitude is considered wrong or evil by moral standards, in addition to being the violation of a statute.
Synonyms
Examples of turpitude in a Sentence
Zachary Siegel, Scientific American, 9 July 2024
Despite its frequent comic interludes and touches, and especially by means of its magnificent recurring irony, The Betrothed paints a terrible picture of human nature and turpitude.
—David Harsanyi, National Review, 25 Jan. 2024
Tucker’s alleged transgressions against Tracy could fall into the third category of moral turpitude if he is found in violation of Title IX statutes in the October hearing.
—Jared Ramsey, Detroit Free Press, 10 Sep. 2023
Stunningly, a third or so of Republican Party voters seem willing not only to countenance Trump’s criminality and moral turpitude, but actually celebrate it.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2023
See all Example Sentences for turpitude 
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'turpitude.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Turpitude.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/turpitude. Accessed 27 Jul. 2024.
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turpitude
noun
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