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depravity
noun
de·prav·i·ty
di-ˈpra-və-tē
also -ˈprā-
plural depravities
1
: a corrupt act or practice
the depravities of war
2
: the quality or state of being corrupt, evil, or perverted : the quality or state of being depraved
He is awed by its fabulous wealth but deeply troubled by what he sees as its moral depravity …—Nicholas D. Kristof
Synonyms
Examples of depravity in a Sentence
He was sinking into a life of utter depravity.
People were shocked by the depravity of her actions.
Recent Examples on the Web
Attempts to extradite him from London back to France were thwarted partially due to the new awareness of the depravity that reigned in the island jail.
—Rob Crossan, JSTOR Daily, 13 Dec. 2024
The country’s financial straits, together with the explosion that devastated the port of Beirut in 2020, have exposed the depravity of Lebanon’s political class.
—Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 31 Oct. 2024
While much of the focus is on the depravity of the perpetrators involved, on graphic display in a trial that continues through December, the lasting lessons may be the powerful leadership that are making this case – and this woman – echo around the world.
—Avivah Wittenberg-Cox, Forbes, 10 Oct. 2024
The allure of Trump among California Republicans remains despite his depravity, columnist George Skelton writes.
—Hayley Smith, Los Angeles Times, 13 Sep. 2024
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Phrases Containing depravity
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Cite this Entry
“Depravity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/depravity. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
Kids Definition
depravity
noun
de·prav·i·ty
di-ˈprav-ət-ē
plural depravities
1
: a corrupt act or practice
2
: the quality or state of being depraved
Legal Definition
depravity
noun
de·prav·i·ty
di-ˈpra-və-tē
plural depravities
1
: the quality or state of being depraved
2
: a corrupt act or practice
More from Merriam-Webster on depravity
Nglish: Translation of depravity for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of depravity for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about depravity
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