decadent 1 of 2

adjective

ˈde-kə-dənt How to pronounce decadent (audio)
Definition of decadentnext
1
as in degenerate
having lost forcefulness, courage, or spirit social critics claimed that their culture had become decadent and weak

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2
as in corrupt
having or showing lowered moral character or standards opponents of gambling casinos claim that gambling is a decadent form of entertainment

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3
as in luxurious
given to or marked by excessive gratification of one's desires the impressionable heiress couldn't resist the decadent temptations of the jet-set life

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decadent

2 of 2

noun

1
as in pervert
a person who has sunk below the normal moral standard avant-garde artists who were scorned by the bourgeoisie as talentless decadents

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2
as in hedonist
a person whose life is devoted to luxury and sensual pleasures a decadent who squandered her once considerable family fortune

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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 decadent
Adjective
With six decadent scents to choose from, the Nécessaire the Body Lotion Firming Moisturizer feels like a treat. — Cheryl Wagemann, InStyle, 19 Aug. 2026 When Russians embrace the Eurasian narrative, they are also engaged in the political project of rejecting Europe and the West, which Putin and his allies deride as decadent, declining, and immoral. — Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026
Noun
But decadents only break taboos in a bloodless, symbolic way—they’re too lazy and refined for murder. — Olivia Kan-Sperling, Artforum, 2 May 2026 Hulu, May 15 The battle is back on in the second season of Rivals, the decadent, soapy ’80s ensemble drama led by David Tennant and Alex Hassell. — Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 30 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for decadent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decadent
  1. degenerate
  2. corrupt
  3. luxurious
  4. pervert
  5. hedonist
  6. effete
  7. degraded
  8. sensual
Adjective
  • When the discs degenerate, vertebrae lose the spongy buffer between bones, resulting in pain.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Or when some man behaving like a degenerate gambler plods into Chelsea Gray’s DMs with a disgusting slur.
    — Candace Buckner, New York Times, 27 July 2026
Definition of degenerate
Adjective
  • And Alice’s superior, FBI agent Nora Washington (Quincy Tyler Bernstine), realizes that her corrupt boss Ed George (Danny McCarthy), who was covering up Easton’s crimes, will retain his ASAC position at the FBI.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2026
  • That strategy allowed the Kremlin to publicly deny the existence of political repression while portraying the opposition as inherently corrupt.
    — Andrei Soldatov, Foreign Affairs, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of corrupt
Adjective
  • Guests indulge in luxurious bungalows offering private pools and direct beach access, alongside exquisite dining at Ora and Sumosan.
    — Stephanie Orma, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The ultra-luxurious, four-seat coach-door Neolun is targeted to push towards $250,000, squarely in the territory of Bentley and Maybach.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of luxurious
Noun
  • This blatant fealty over objectivity perverts the process by choosing personal loyalists instead of independent public servants.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 6 Aug. 2026
  • This blatant expression of fealty over objectivity perverts the process by choosing personal loyalists instead of independent public servants.
    — Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of pervert
Noun
  • And what fame gave me, what addiction fueled was opportunity for endless consent, which led me to be a hedonist and a fool and an exploiter of women.
    — Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026
  • And what fame gave me and what my addiction fueled was opportunity for endless consent, which led me to be a hedonist and a fool and an exploiter of women.
    — Lindsay Kimble, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026
Definition of hedonist
Adjective
  • Republicans have sought to cast him as an effete extremist.
    — Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 29 May 2026
  • Scarf critics accuse the accessory—and by extension, its wearers—of being effete or affected.
    — Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 1 Dec. 2025
Definition of effete
Adjective
  • Perhaps building on degraded land, sharing space with agriculture, and designing eco-friendly infrastructure.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Meanwhile, degraded working conditions—see, the adjunctification discourse—make academic professionalization less and less sustainable.
    — Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of degraded
Adjective
  • This isn’t Musgraves’ first venture into lifestyle products with a distinctly sensual bent.
    — SPIN Staff, SPIN, 21 Aug. 2026
  • With the new immersive sound system, orchestra impact becomes a matter of technology, giving individual instruments paranormal prominence and turning full orchestra glory into a sensual sound bath.
    — Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of sensual

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Cite this Entry

“Decadent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decadent. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on decadent

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about decadent

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