deprave

verb

de·​prave di-ˈprāv How to pronounce deprave (audio)
depraved; depraving
Synonyms of depravenext

transitive verb

1
archaic : to speak ill of : malign
2
: to make bad : corrupt
especially : to corrupt morally
depravation
ˌde-prə-ˈvā-shən How to pronounce deprave (audio)
ˌdē-ˌprā-
noun
depravement
di-ˈprāv-mənt How to pronounce deprave (audio)
noun
depraver
di-ˈprā-vər How to pronounce deprave (audio)
noun

Synonyms

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Choose the Right Synonym for deprave

debase, vitiate, deprave, corrupt, debauch, pervert mean to cause deterioration or lowering in quality or character.

debase implies a loss of position, worth, value, or dignity.

commercialism has debased the holiday

vitiate implies a destruction of purity, validity, or effectiveness by allowing entrance of a fault or defect.

a foreign policy vitiated by partisanship

deprave implies moral deterioration by evil thoughts or influences.

the claim that society is depraved by pornography

corrupt implies loss of soundness, purity, or integrity.

the belief that bureaucratese corrupts the language

debauch implies a debasing through sensual indulgence.

the long stay on a tropical isle had debauched the ship's crew

pervert implies a twisting or distorting from what is natural or normal.

perverted the original goals of the institute

Examples of deprave in a Sentence

the belief that pornography depraves society as a whole
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The company goes on to say the infringing product depraves Levi’s its rights to use and control its trademark and maintain its reputation with consumers, licensees and collaborators and allows others to believe the distinctive features of the Tab trademark may be misappropriated for their use. — Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 3 Jan. 2025 All writings, unpalatable for one section of the society, cannot be labeled as obscene, vulgar, depraving, prurient and immoral. . . . — Amitava Kumar, The New Yorker, 12 Dec. 2019

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French depraver, from Latin depravare to pervert, from de- + pravus crooked, bad

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of deprave was in the 14th century

Rhymes for deprave

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Browse Nearby Words

deprave
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Cite this Entry

“Deprave.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deprave. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

deprave

verb
de·​prave di-ˈprāv How to pronounce deprave (audio)
depraved; depraving
: to make evil : pervert
depravedly
-ˈprā-vəd-lē
-ˈprāvd-lē
adverb
depravedness
-ˈprā-vəd-nəs
-ˈprāvd-nəs
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on deprave

Nglish: Translation of deprave for Spanish Speakers

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