1
as in degenerate
having lost forcefulness, courage, or spirit
social critics claimed that their culture had become decadent and weak
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in hedonist
a person whose life is devoted to luxury and sensual pleasures
a decadent who squandered her once considerable family fortune
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of decadent
Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 4 Aug. 2025
Thursday through Sunday, executive chef Leonard Colton Burton’s expanded menu includes a rotating lineup of small plates, entrees, and decadent deserts.
—Katherine Lawless, Travel + Leisure, 2 Aug. 2025
Josh Miller, Southern Living, 17 July 2025
For much of his life, the Black Sabbath founder and legendary heavy metal frontman who died at 76 on Tuesday was known to much of the public as a dark purveyor of deeds ranging from decadent to downright Satanic.
—Andrew Dalton, Chicago Tribune, 23 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for decadent
Adjective
Brian Atwood boots in a decadent gray suede topped off this ensemble.
—Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 4 Aug. 2025
Thursday through Sunday, executive chef Leonard Colton Burton’s expanded menu includes a rotating lineup of small plates, entrees, and decadent deserts.
—Katherine Lawless, Travel + Leisure, 2 Aug. 2025
Noun
Layers of caramel, graham crackers, and chopped toffee bars stack up into one decadent and easy icebox dessert.
—Josh Miller, Southern Living, 17 July 2025
For much of his life, the Black Sabbath founder and legendary heavy metal frontman who died at 76 on Tuesday was known to much of the public as a dark purveyor of deeds ranging from decadent to downright Satanic.
—Andrew Dalton, Chicago Tribune, 23 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for decadent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decadent
Adjective
-
In his native Germany, he was reviled by the Nazis as a degenerate artist.—
Celia Bell
July 22,
Literary Hub,
22 July 2025
-
In a guest role that’s been extremely well hidden in the months leading up to the premiere, Bradley Cooper turns heel as Elijah Gemstone, a degenerate con man who sees right through Abel Grieves’s lucrative scam before plugging him in the forehead.—
Scott Tobias,
Vulture,
9 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The misleading narrative about Halimi became central to DOGE’s argument; American foreign aid was corrupt and even, at times, funding America’s enemies — and that’s why DOGE had to take over.—
Avi Asher-Schapiro,
ProPublica,
22 Aug. 2025
-
Riz Ahmed stars in the film as Ash, an off-the-grid fixer who brokers deals between whistleblowers and corrupt corporations.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Consider the seventeenth-century icon that showed him with, in addition to luxurious robes, human hands, and flowing locks, an unmistakable snout.—
The Editors,
JSTOR Daily,
28 Aug. 2025
-
Today, international journalists are largely barred from Gaza, and their luxurious refuge from the dying and grieving has disappeared.—
Book Marks
August 28,
Literary Hub,
28 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
What follows is a floor-by-floor descent into madness as Bobby battles bloodthirsty perverts, demonic flash mobs, and hallucinogenic suburban nightmares, all while trying to figure out if he’s meant to be the hero… or just the last guy standing.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
14 July 2025
-
Special-guest pervert Frank (Sam Rockwell) showcases a monologue about his autogynephilia.—
Armond White,
National Review,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
If Ritter is a masochist and a sadist, Eloise is a pure hedonist.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
21 Aug. 2025
-
This version of Trump is a lawsuit-happy hedonist who is literally in bed with Satan (in South Park, Satan is something of a lost soul, often ending up in abusive relationships).—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
26 July 2025
Adjective
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And there’s an intriguing romance between Nancy and Hamish (James Musgrave), a slightly effete soldier whose lack of commitment, and indeed libido, suggests her taste in men might not be as sharp as her wit.—
Jon O'Brien,
IndieWire,
17 June 2025
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In this view, other European immigrants were unsuitable for civilizing the frontier—Southern Europeans were effete and decadent while Eastern European Jews were hapless in the woods and better-suited to urban, commercial spaces.—
Livia Gershon,
JSTOR Daily,
5 June 2025
Adjective
-
Smoke and particle pollution, primarily traced to wildfires burning in Canada, contributed to the degraded air quality, which officials said may persist until at least Thursday.—
Anna Skinner,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 July 2025
-
On top of software setbacks, the OP said the vehicle's battery had to be replaced, but with a degraded unit that reduced range by 30 miles overnight.—
Thomas Westerholm,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 July 2025
Adjective
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Reuters uncovered an internal Meta document that allowed its AI chatbots to flirt with children and engage in sensual conversations.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
21 Aug. 2025
-
CiCi energy abounds—whether elevated androgynous or sensual and feminine, Ciara’s looks are always stage-ready.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
20 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Decadent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decadent. Accessed 3 Sep. 2025.
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