libertine 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of libertinenext
as in corrupt
having or showing lowered moral character or standards his libertine sister had got caught up in the urban drug scene and had died of an overdose

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

libertine

2 of 2

noun

ˈli-bər-ˌtēn How to pronounce libertine (audio)
as in pervert
a person who has sunk below the normal moral standard the legend of Don Juan depicts him as a playboy and libertine

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 libertine
Adjective
If there really was a class of unaccountable, libertine global élites plundering the world, then wasn’t Trump obviously a member? — Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2026 Following Matthew Perry's death in 2023, the actress reflected on her time portraying his character's memorable mother, the libertine erotic novelist Nora Bing. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Nov. 2025
Noun
The protagonist of A Love Story is a lover boy, a libertine, a gossip, a flirt. — The Atlantic, 4 Dec. 2025 The libertines will begin the film in suits. — David Wingrave, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for libertine
Recent Examples of Synonyms for libertine
  1. corrupt
  2. pervert
  3. degraded
  4. degenerate
  5. sick
  6. dissolute
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
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
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
Noun
  • But while his recent albums with Tony Seltzer and Subjxct 5 resurfaced some of the dynamism brought by Sporting Life during his younger years as the fire-breathing degenerate who tied Ratking together, that energy takes a backseat here.
    — Lei Takanashi, Pitchfork, 16 June 2026
  • Now playback all the degenerate, violent entertainment Julianne has happily participated in throughout her career.
    — Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 17 May 2026
Definition of degenerate
Adjective
  • Some recalls, Eskin said, are made after companies’ routine testing catches a pathogen before anyone gets sick, while others involve outbreaks that are already underway and vary widely in size and severity.
    — Dian Zhang, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Sanchez also ordered a meal from Taco Bell, but didn’t get sick.
    — Rebecca Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of sick
Adjective
  • But this replacement adoption has strings attached, in the form of a father (Fabrizio Odetto) who’d already been trying to get Giulia away from his dissolute ex, and is not about to hand her over to some rich third party.
    — Dennis Harvey, Variety, 30 July 2026
  • His untimely death set the template for the doomed, dissolute musician.
    — David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 2 July 2026
Definition of dissolute

Browse Nearby Words

libertinage
libertine
libertines
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Cite this Entry

“Libertine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/libertine. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.

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