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
Nicholas D. KristofSynonyms
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
As plain as the crooked nose on his face, the depravity is the point.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 12 Sep. 2024
In time for the 23rd anniversary of 9/11—and two years after America’s chaotic departure from Afghanistan—a new book offers an exhaustive version of this story of fundamental depravity: Richard Beck’s Homeland: The War on Terror in American Life.
—Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 10 Sep. 2024
The legal actions pending against state correctional officers provide a road map of alleged depravity and inaction by prison authorities for federal prosecutors to pursue.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2024
The Miami Herald, which blew the lid on Epstein’s depravity, fought to get the filings unsealed.
—John Annese, New York Daily News, 3 Jan. 2024
See all Example Sentences for depravity 
Ben Travers, IndieWire, 12 Sep. 2024
In time for the 23rd anniversary of 9/11—and two years after America’s chaotic departure from Afghanistan—a new book offers an exhaustive version of this story of fundamental depravity: Richard Beck’s Homeland: The War on Terror in American Life.
—Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 10 Sep. 2024
The legal actions pending against state correctional officers provide a road map of alleged depravity and inaction by prison authorities for federal prosecutors to pursue.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2024
The Miami Herald, which blew the lid on Epstein’s depravity, fought to get the filings unsealed.
—John Annese, New York Daily News, 3 Jan. 2024
See all Example Sentences for depravity
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'depravity.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Depravity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/depravity. Accessed 6 Oct. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
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