1
as in degenerate
having lost forcefulness, courage, or spirit
social critics claimed that their culture had become decadent and weak
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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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
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Recent Examples of decadent
Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Jan. 2025
Next, the couple cut into a six-tier wedding cake with three delicious flavors — traditional white cake, strawberry cake and decadent cookies and cream.
—Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 2 Jan. 2025
Lilian Raji, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024
The first was the rigidities of fascism, which divided the world into the vital and the decadent, the essential and the discardable, the us and the them.
—Thomas Meaney, The New Yorker, 25 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for decadent 
Adjective
The result is a decadent potato side dish that's the ultimate cozy comfort food.
—Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Jan. 2025
Next, the couple cut into a six-tier wedding cake with three delicious flavors — traditional white cake, strawberry cake and decadent cookies and cream.
—Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 2 Jan. 2025
Noun
When you’re done exploring all Faena has to offer for Miami Art Week, enjoy decadent dining at Los Fuegos or Pao by Paul Qui, or simply unwind in Faena’s luxurious pool and beach areas.
—Lilian Raji, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024
The first was the rigidities of fascism, which divided the world into the vital and the decadent, the essential and the discardable, the us and the them.
—Thomas Meaney, The New Yorker, 25 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for decadent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decadent
Adjective
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There was alarm at the prospect of hundreds of thousands of soldiers returning to the U.S. with such degenerate experience under their belts, and presumably spreading these habits among hitherto innocent American wives.—
Rebecca Mead,
The New Yorker,
9 Dec. 2024
-
Ammon did appear tempted to talk the walk in Portland, to become the Mormon cowboy philosopher king wandering a degenerate realm of an ailing Republic, but by now time was in extremely short supply.—
Matt Thompson,
SPIN,
5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
-
Many such stories also contain the suggestion, sometimes explicit, that the old civilization was unbearably corrupt and that its violent collapse was overdue.—
Jennifer Szalai,
New York Times,
22 Jan. 2025
-
Hunter Biden had been the point man in the decades-long Biden family business of selling access to his father and his political influence to agents of corrupt and anti-American foreign regimes, including the Chinese Communist Party.—
The Editors,
National Review,
21 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
The hotel’s Nine Kingdoms of Bali experience includes luxurious accommodations, a tour of Klungkung Palace and lunch with one of the royals.—
Terry Elward,
Forbes,
24 Jan. 2025
-
The inside is super soft and comfy, more comfy and luxurious than the microfiber-type fleece.—
Chaunie Brusie, RN,
Parents,
23 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Another of the girls called Essex a pervert, which prompted their mother to ask more questions.—
Keri Blakinger,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Dec. 2024
-
The imagery is intended to mock and reflect modern Japan in some way — from the overworked salarymen gleefully staging suicidal leaps off of buildings to the schoolgirls (who, in the dream, have cell phones for heads) exposing themselves to perverts (who also have cell phones for heads).—
Eric Vilas-Boas,
Vulture,
28 Sep. 2024
Noun
-
There’s no other way to put it: My skier friends and I are hedonists.—
Jake Stern,
Outside Online,
26 Dec. 2024
-
This is the burger for hedonists (particularly those who have time to take a nap right after).—
Charlie Hobbs,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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And for centuries the fork remained suspect in Europe, as the effete accessory of aristocrats; as late as the 17th century, Louis XIV, amid the pomp of Versailles, is said to have insisted on grabbing food — off a gold plate — with his fingers.—
Ligaya Mishan Kyoko Hamada,
New York Times,
18 Feb. 2024
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Michael Urie lends an elastic face and sing-songy intonations to Sir Robin, and Ethan Slater’s dexterous physical humor, as a French mime, an effete prince and a naked puppeteer, is always welcome.—
Naveen Kumar,
Variety,
17 Nov. 2023
Adjective
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But there is a kind of romance to that degraded VHS.—
Matt Zoller Seitz,
Vulture,
14 Jan. 2025
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These pollutants then build up in a confined area, resulting in degraded air quality, which may affect people with and other health concerns.—
Jess Thomson,
Newsweek,
2 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The retreat offers experiential exercises to explore intimacy and sensual pleasure.—
Caren Osten Gerszberg,
New York Times,
16 Jan. 2025
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Related Articles For the occasion, Good gave wintertime dressing a sensual spin, opting for a coordinated look and complementary jacket.—
Julia Teti,
WWD,
16 Jan. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Decadent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decadent. Accessed 3 Feb. 2025.
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