1
as in desire
sexual appetite
the Puritans did not condemn concupiscence but rather the satisfaction of it in ways they deemed illicit
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in lustfulness
intense sexual desire
according to the church theologian St. Augustine, concupiscence is a consequence of original sin
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of concupiscence
Gregory of Nyssa, contemplating the Christian horror of concupiscence, once theorized that had not Adam and Eve sinned, the two of them would have remained virgins and reproduced in whatever way angels did.
—
David Harsanyi, National Review, 8 June 2023
The depictions are disturbingly romantic: seminude invaders among smoldering monuments, preening with bloodlust and concupiscence.
—Cullen Murphy, The Atlantic, 9 June 2020
David Harsanyi, National Review, 8 June 2023
The depictions are disturbingly romantic: seminude invaders among smoldering monuments, preening with bloodlust and concupiscence.
—Cullen Murphy, The Atlantic, 9 June 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for concupiscence
Noun
-
Sweeney has often expressed a desire to keep her personal and romantic life out of the public eye as her star status has grown in recent years.—
Tommy McArdle,
People.com,
27 Mar. 2025
-
The desire just to make the playoffs actually delayed a long overdue rebuild.—
Max Bultman,
New York Times,
27 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Kicking has turned into his new passion over the last few years.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Mar. 2025
-
Our Pause for Purpose curriculum is one example of an intentional step toward making a career change or pivot with passion and purpose.—
Laurel Donnellan,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Her own relationship to religion forced her to contend with an inclination toward stifling (or at least judging) normal feelings of yearning and lust.—
Amanda Petrusich,
The New Yorker,
17 Mar. 2025
-
Then again, lust in music, art and literature is one of Vienna’s great gifts to the world.—
Mark Swed,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Concupiscence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/concupiscence. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share