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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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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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of decadent
Andrea Beck, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Dec. 2024
The intervention in Syria also allowed Russia to assume the role of protector of Christians in the Middle East—a role that, in Putin’s view, decadent Western powers had abdicated, and a mission that fit neatly with Putin’s desire to present Russia as Europe’s last bastion of Christian values.
—Alexander Baunov, Foreign Affairs, 26 Dec. 2024
Liv Dansky, Southern Living, 1 Nov. 2024
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
Gooey Layered Bars Another use for chocolate cookies: these delicious, decadent Irish cream bars.
—Andrea Beck, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Dec. 2024
The intervention in Syria also allowed Russia to assume the role of protector of Christians in the Middle East—a role that, in Putin’s view, decadent Western powers had abdicated, and a mission that fit neatly with Putin’s desire to present Russia as Europe’s last bastion of Christian values.
—Alexander Baunov, Foreign Affairs, 26 Dec. 2024
Noun
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
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
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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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The essential modern text is Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, the 2010 Supreme Court decision that equates money with speech, resulting in an ever more corrupt system of campaign finance.David Remnick, The New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2025
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The cases also highlighted a broken system of police discipline that allegedly protected corrupt officers and punished those who tried to expose the corruption.Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Check in here: After 26.2 grueling miles, rest up in the luxurious Five-Star Shangri-La Vancouver.Forbes Travel Guide, Forbes, 12 Jan. 2025
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The former private residence now offers seven luxurious suites and four ballrooms, which host some of the city’s most notable events, with over 150 additional guest rooms set in the hotel’s contemporary tower.Michaela Trimble, Vogue, 12 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Another of the girls called Essex a pervert, which prompted their mother to ask more questions.Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times, 19 Dec. 2024
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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
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There’s no other way to put it: My skier friends and I are hedonists.Jake Stern, Outside Online, 26 Dec. 2024
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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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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
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However, in the digital age, this kind of content has been mass-produced and even more degraded.Kyndall Cunningham, Vox, 6 June 2024
Adjective
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We’re not focused on the destination here; this is about thoroughly enjoying the journey, one sensual moment at a time.Dominique Fluker, Essence, 7 Jan. 2025
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The waltz becomes, thus, a nice, elegant, sensual, romantic, harmless way to welcome in a new year, to attempt, or at least pretend, to be optimistic.Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 31 Dec. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Decadent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decadent. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
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