dissolute

adjective

dis·​so·​lute ˈdi-sə-ˌlüt 

-lət

: lacking restraint

especially : marked by indulgence in things (such as drink or promiscuous sex) deemed vices (see vice entry 1 sense 1)

leading a dissolute lifestyle

the dissolute and degrading aspects of human nature

—Wallace Fowlie

dissolutely adverb

dissoluteness noun

Synonyms

• corrupt
• debased
• debauched
• decadent
• degenerate
• degraded
• demoralized
• depraved
• dissipated
• jackleg
• libertine
• loose
• perverse
• perverted
• rakehell
• rakehelly
• rakish
• reprobate
• sick
• unclean
• unwholesome
• warped

Examples of dissolute in a Sentence

literature dealing with the dissolute and degrading aspects of human experience

Recent Examples on the Web

Imbert reminds us of social change and collapse via brief flashbacks to Pierre’s dissolute life before his fall. —Armond White, National Review, 1 Nov. 2024

But as evidence of the miscarriage of justice gradually came to light — including the identity of the actual traitor, a dissolute nobleman named Ferdinand Walsin-Esterhazy — more people joined Dreyfus’ cause. —Maurice Samuels / Made By History, TIME, 21 May 2024

So when, in 680, Muawiya, the first caliph since Ali, died and the caliphate passed to his dissolute son, Yazid, the Shiat Ali implored Hussein to take his rightful place at the head of Islam. —Aatish Taseer, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2023

Enter an unlikely duo, called in by their governments to investigate: Adam, a gruff American super-soldier, and Rao, a dissolute former British intelligence officer with a talent for detecting falsehoods — unless Adam is telling them. —Sophia Nguyen, Washington Post, 10 Aug. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin dissolutus, from past participle of dissolvere to loosen, dissolve

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

dissolute

adjective

dis·​so·​lute ˈdis-ə-ˌlüt 

: having or showing bad morals or behavior

dissolutely adverb

dissoluteness noun