turpitude
noun
tur·pi·tude
ˈtər-pə-ˌtüd 
-ˌtyüd
: inherent baseness : depravity
moral turpitude
also
: a base act
Did you know?
Turpitude comes from Latin turpis, meaning "vile" or "base." The word is often heard in the phrase "moral turpitude," an expression used in law to designate an act or behavior that gravely violates the sentiment or accepted standard of the community. A criminal offense that involves moral turpitude is considered wrong or evil by moral standards, in addition to being the violation of a statute.
Synonyms
Examples of turpitude in a Sentence
pictorial advertisements for chic clothing and fragrances in which drug addiction and other forms of moral turpitude are depicted as alternative fashion statements
Recent Examples on the Web
Last week there was another article about three former major league pitchers who cannot find jobs in a depleted pitching market because of their off-field activities, indiscretions, moral turpitude, etc.
—
Dan Freedman, Forbes, 16 Sep. 2024
According to a 2021 Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office manual, material relating to dishonesty, assaults, racial bias and acts of moral turpitude can all be relevant Brady material.
—Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2024
Daniel Stephen March did not dispute 27 ethics charges of moral turpitude, misappropriation, failure to maintain client funds in a trust account and others filed against him in May in State Bar Court, which independently handles attorney discipline cases.
—Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 17 July 2024
People who lose control of their substance use have long been deemed constitutionally weak-willed, doomed to a life of moral turpitude.
—Zachary Siegel, Scientific American, 9 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for turpitude 
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Dan Freedman, Forbes, 16 Sep. 2024
According to a 2021 Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office manual, material relating to dishonesty, assaults, racial bias and acts of moral turpitude can all be relevant Brady material.
—Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2024
Daniel Stephen March did not dispute 27 ethics charges of moral turpitude, misappropriation, failure to maintain client funds in a trust account and others filed against him in May in State Bar Court, which independently handles attorney discipline cases.
—Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 17 July 2024
People who lose control of their substance use have long been deemed constitutionally weak-willed, doomed to a life of moral turpitude.
—Zachary Siegel, Scientific American, 9 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for turpitude
Dictionary Entries Near turpitude
Cite this Entry
“Turpitude.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/turpitude. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
turpitude
noun
tur·pi·tude
ˈtər-pə-ˌtüd, -ˌtyüd
: inherent baseness or depravity
also
: a base act
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