licentious

adjective

lī-ˈsen(t)-shəs How to pronounce licentious (audio)
Definition of licentiousnext
as in passionate
having a strong sexual desire a moralist who decried what she regarded as the licentious and corrupt culture of the entertainment industry

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 licentious Whereas The Swimming-Pool Library transpires over one London summer — the last licentious gasp before AIDS— and The Line of Beauty spans the Thatcher era, Hollinghurst has lately been expanding his temporal horizons. — Sam Worley, Vulture, 7 Oct. 2024 Woodhull’s inability to counter the caricature of her as evil and licentious doomed her campaign. — Allison Lange / Made By History, TIME, 6 Aug. 2024 Qutb also offered Khamenei a perspective on the United States as something of a licentious society, ideas Qutb had picked up during his sojourn there in the late 1940s. — Akbar Ganji, Foreign Affairs, 12 Aug. 2013
Recent Examples of Synonyms for licentious
  1. passionate
  2. hot
  3. lascivious
  4. lustful
Adjective
  • Beyond his impressive accomplishments on the field, Jake brings a passionate, competitive spirit and leadership qualities that align perfectly with our organizational values.
    — Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Expect to feel energized and passionate in your one-on-one connections — whether that’s with a romantic partner, a close friend or a business colleague.
    — Valerie Mesa, People.com, 20 Mar. 2025
Definition of passionate
Adjective
  • Eventually, that capacitor discharges, and out shoots a lightning bolt, five times hotter than the surface of the Sun.
    — Chris Wright, The Conversation, 11 Mar. 2025
  • Spring is getting warmer overall and featuring more unusually hot days in most U.S. cities, including Houston, a new analysis finds.
    — Shafaq Patel, Axios, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of hot
Adjective
  • William Francis Chatel was arrested Tuesday, March 11, and charged with lewd or lascivious molestation of a victim under 12 years of age, according to online court records.
    — KC Baker, People.com, 13 Mar. 2025
  • William Chatel of Rhode Island is facing a charge of lewd and lascivious molestation of a victim under 12 years of age, according to Orange County records.
    — Olivia Lloyd, Miami Herald, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of lascivious
Adjective
  • The story about Dieter sounds mostly made up, likely by a lustful Kier who invented a lustful brother to cover up his secret shame.
    — Josh Wigler, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Feb. 2025
  • However, Orlok is secretly an agent of evil who haunts Hutter’s new wife Ellen (Lily-Rose Depp) into lustful submission.
    — Rudie Obias, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Jan. 2025
Definition of lustful

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Cite this Entry

“Licentious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/licentious. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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