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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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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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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2
as in hedonist
a person whose life is devoted to luxury and sensual pleasures
a decadent who squandered her once considerable family fortune
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of decadent
Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 30 Dec. 2024
This dessert is rich and decadent, but absolutely worth splitting with a friend (or two).
—Zareen Syed, Chicago Tribune, 1 Jan. 2025
Michael Stefanov, Robb Report, 26 Nov. 2024
Total Time: 4 hrs 5 mins Servings: 8 German chocolate pie is similar to its popular cake counterpart—but with all of the key ingredients combined into one decadent filling.
—Liv Dansky, Southern Living, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for decadent 
Adjective
Lobster Blanquette, Le B. Chef Angie Mar’s Le B. is a glorious spot—a lush and cool throwback to the New York of the 1980s and ‘90s, where her love of decadent French fare is intermingled with her own history and heritage in exciting ways.
—Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 30 Dec. 2024
This dessert is rich and decadent, but absolutely worth splitting with a friend (or two).
—Zareen Syed, Chicago Tribune, 1 Jan. 2025
Noun
Warm cardamom and spices blend beautifully with chestnut, oakwood, and creamy vanilla, resulting in a decadent, cozy holiday aroma with just the right hint of spice.
—Michael Stefanov, Robb Report, 26 Nov. 2024
Total Time: 4 hrs 5 mins Servings: 8 German chocolate pie is similar to its popular cake counterpart—but with all of the key ingredients combined into one decadent filling.
—Liv Dansky, Southern Living, 1 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
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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
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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
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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 30 Jan. 2025.
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