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
The letters depict a landscape of despair as the depths of Nazi depravity began to become clearer, but the options for escape had dwindled.
—Nina Siegal, New York Times, 17 Feb. 2025
In the past, Scorsese’s frenetic pacing and constant stylization could distract us from the depravity of his characters, at least a little bit.
—Kevin Lincoln, Vulture, 20 Jan. 2025
But also the endless torture, rape, and other depravity.
—Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 27 Jan. 2025
The finished film raises fascinating, sometimes troubling questions about the tenuous line that can exist between journalism and vigilantism, as well as our strange fascination with watching stories about depravity.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 26 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for depravity
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Nina Siegal, New York Times, 17 Feb. 2025
In the past, Scorsese’s frenetic pacing and constant stylization could distract us from the depravity of his characters, at least a little bit.
—Kevin Lincoln, Vulture, 20 Jan. 2025
But also the endless torture, rape, and other depravity.
—Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 27 Jan. 2025
The finished film raises fascinating, sometimes troubling questions about the tenuous line that can exist between journalism and vigilantism, as well as our strange fascination with watching stories about depravity.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 26 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for depravity
Articles Related to depravity
Cite this Entry
“Depravity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/depravity. Accessed 28 Feb. 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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