depravity
noun
de·prav·i·ty
di-ˈpra-və-tē 
also -ˈprā-
plural depravities
1
: a corrupt act or practice
the depravities of war
2
: the quality or state of being corrupt, evil, or perverted : the quality or state of being depraved
He is awed by its fabulous wealth but deeply troubled by what he sees as its moral depravity …—
Nicholas D. Kristof
Nicholas D. KristofExamples of depravity in a Sentence
He was sinking into a life of utter depravity.
People were shocked by the depravity of her actions.
Recent Examples on the Web
Johnson said the disturbing account was just one night in 20 years of violence, abuse and depravity that jurors would hear about throughout the trial, expected to last eight weeks.
—Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 12 May 2025
The British pop quintet Idles is the band of this moment — a moment defined by an inscrutable youth culture protesting in support of abhorrent political positions or embracing styles of self-abusive depravity.
—Armond White, National Review, 7 May 2025
Depending on the episode, the Menendez brothers’ relationship was portrayed as either a titillating reflection of their moral depravity, or the harrowing consequence of years of molestation by their father.
—Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Mar. 2025
Is the idea that these scandalous relationships reflect the depravity and decadence of the elites?
—Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for depravity
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Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 12 May 2025
The British pop quintet Idles is the band of this moment — a moment defined by an inscrutable youth culture protesting in support of abhorrent political positions or embracing styles of self-abusive depravity.
—Armond White, National Review, 7 May 2025
Depending on the episode, the Menendez brothers’ relationship was portrayed as either a titillating reflection of their moral depravity, or the harrowing consequence of years of molestation by their father.
—Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Mar. 2025
Is the idea that these scandalous relationships reflect the depravity and decadence of the elites?
—Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for depravity
Cite this Entry
“Depravity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/depravity. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
depravity
noun
de·prav·i·ty
di-ˈprav-ət-ē
plural depravities
1
: a corrupt act or practice
2
: the quality or state of being depraved
Legal Definition
depravity
noun
de·prav·i·ty
di-ˈpra-və-tē
plural depravities
1
: the quality or state of being depraved
2
: a corrupt act or practice
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