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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 decadent
Adjective
Featuring the perfect balance of cookie and vanilla ice cream, these sandwiches are rolled in mini, semi-sweet chocolate chips for an extra decadent touch. — Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 22 July 2026 For now, though, royal watchers can rest easy with glimpses of the monument’s most decadent rooms. — Ben Jureidini, Vanity Fair, 21 July 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
  • 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
  • Populist theatrics, divorced from the prosaic work of consensus-building and problem-solving, degenerate into political escapism.
    — Will Marshall, Washington Post, 18 July 2026
Definition of degenerate
Adjective
  • The duo and two others, Mohammed Hurabi and Lars Zeepvat, were hit with the worst charges — felony corrupt organizations, conspiracy, dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity, and other related offenses.
    — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Agostino Abbatiello, Thomas Robinson, Mohammed Hurabi and Lars Zeepvat are facing several felony charges, including corrupt organizations, conspiracy and dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity.
    — Madeline Bartos, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of corrupt
Adjective
  • Because so many of the places that M frequents are luxurious, her sections have the sheen of a life-style magazine.
    — Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2026
  • For the ultimate glamping experience, the Vista Airstream Suite boasts a luxurious outdoor shower.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 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
  • Carter’s collection of fairytale retellings are macabre and sensual, highlighting female violence and subverting expectations of female sexuality at equal turns.
    — S.M. Hallow, PEOPLE, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The compliment magnet has top notes of refreshing, juicy pear, a feminine freesia heart, and deep, sensual patchouli base.
    — Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of sensual

Browse Nearby Words

decadency
decadent
decadents
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Decadent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decadent. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on decadent

Nglish: Translation of decadent for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about decadent

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of prowess

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All