depraved

adjective

de·​praved di-ˈprāvd 

: marked by corruption or evil

a depraved attack

especially : perverted

the work of depraved minds

depravedly

di-ˈprā-vəd-lē 

-ˈprāvd-lē

adverb

depravedness

di-ˈprā-vəd-nəs 

-ˈprāvd-nəs

noun

Synonyms

• corrupt
• debased
• debauched
• decadent
• degenerate
• degraded
• demoralized
• dissipated
• dissolute
• jackleg
• libertine
• loose
• perverse
• perverted
• rakehell
• rakehelly
• rakish
• reprobate
• sick
• unclean
• unwholesome
• warped

Examples of depraved in a Sentence

the work of depraved minds

He acted with depraved indifference to human suffering.

Recent Examples on the Web

What this already-suspect discovery spawns isn’t at all surprising — here are people who are steeped in their misery and their resentment — though the lengths Andrews goes to show us just how depraved this long-simmering feud has made these men does shock. —Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 8 Sep. 2024

In his world, homosexual signifies something at once depraved and emasculated. —Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 3 Sep. 2024

Wolverine blames Deadpool for Johnny's eventual death at Cassandra's hands because Wade is the one who tells her about the Human Torch saying all these terrible, depraved things about her. —Nick Romano, EW.com, 5 Aug. 2024

Katja must navigate depraved death cults, otherworldly forces, and the ever-present horror of The HUSH, to save herself and those who rely upon her. —Jennifer Maas, Variety, 2 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

see deprave

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Legal Definition

depraved

adjective

de·​praved di-ˈprāvd 

: marked by moral corruption or perversion as shown by a capacity for extreme and wanton physical cruelty

the depraved state of mind of the murderer

the depraved nature of the crime