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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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 decadent
Amy Drew Thompson, Orlando Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2025
Every bite was as creamy, decadent, and comforting as the original.
—Josh Miller, Southern Living, 30 Jan. 2025
Lilian Raji, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024
The first was the rigidities of fascism, which divided the world into the vital and the decadent, the essential and the discardable, the us and the them.
—Thomas Meaney, The New Yorker, 25 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for decadent 
Adjective
Dishes include sauteed scallops, monkfish, crispy duck breast and a decadent chocolate-heart dessert.
—Amy Drew Thompson, Orlando Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2025
Every bite was as creamy, decadent, and comforting as the original.
—Josh Miller, Southern Living, 30 Jan. 2025
Noun
When you’re done exploring all Faena has to offer for Miami Art Week, enjoy decadent dining at Los Fuegos or Pao by Paul Qui, or simply unwind in Faena’s luxurious pool and beach areas.
—Lilian Raji, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024
The first was the rigidities of fascism, which divided the world into the vital and the decadent, the essential and the discardable, the us and the them.
—Thomas Meaney, The New Yorker, 25 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for decadent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decadent
Adjective
-
There was alarm at the prospect of hundreds of thousands of soldiers returning to the U.S. with such degenerate experience under their belts, and presumably spreading these habits among hitherto innocent American wives.—
Rebecca Mead,
The New Yorker,
9 Dec. 2024
-
Ammon did appear tempted to talk the walk in Portland, to become the Mormon cowboy philosopher king wandering a degenerate realm of an ailing Republic, but by now time was in extremely short supply.—
Matt Thompson,
SPIN,
5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
-
Several leagues away from her time on Game of Thrones, Christie now stars on the Apple TV+ thriller as Lorne, an enigmatic woman in charge of corrupt corporation Lumon’s even more enigmatic goats.—
Josh Wigler,
The Hollywood Reporter,
3 Feb. 2025
-
Armed with his signature mop, the unlikely hero battles freaks, gangsters and corrupt CEOs while trying to save his relationship with his son.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
31 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
For a warm winter take, consider the Hug bag in a luxurious pony hair, which has versatile appeal given it can be worn as both a crossbody and a clutch.—
Christina Holevas,
Vogue,
5 Feb. 2025
-
Completely different vibes come from the second image, which shows a comfy, luxurious room outfitted with cushy furniture, plants, and artworks.—
Anders Fogh Rasmussen,
Newsweek,
5 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Another of the girls called Essex a pervert, which prompted their mother to ask more questions.—
Keri Blakinger,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Dec. 2024
-
The imagery is intended to mock and reflect modern Japan in some way — from the overworked salarymen gleefully staging suicidal leaps off of buildings to the schoolgirls (who, in the dream, have cell phones for heads) exposing themselves to perverts (who also have cell phones for heads).—
Eric Vilas-Boas,
Vulture,
28 Sep. 2024
Noun
-
There’s no other way to put it: My skier friends and I are hedonists.—
Jake Stern,
Outside Online,
26 Dec. 2024
-
This is the burger for hedonists (particularly those who have time to take a nap right after).—
Charlie Hobbs,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
And for centuries the fork remained suspect in Europe, as the effete accessory of aristocrats; as late as the 17th century, Louis XIV, amid the pomp of Versailles, is said to have insisted on grabbing food — off a gold plate — with his fingers.—
Ligaya Mishan Kyoko Hamada,
New York Times,
18 Feb. 2024
-
Michael Urie lends an elastic face and sing-songy intonations to Sir Robin, and Ethan Slater’s dexterous physical humor, as a French mime, an effete prince and a naked puppeteer, is always welcome.—
Naveen Kumar,
Variety,
17 Nov. 2023
Adjective
-
For Israeli officials, an operational window of opportunity to attack Iran is currently open, because of Iran’s degraded air defenses.—
Nicole Grajewski,
Foreign Affairs,
28 Jan. 2025
-
In poor cities with degraded water systems, low-income residents are burdened with overwhelmingly expensive water bills.—
Catherine Coleman Flowers,
TIME,
28 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Even Lucy Liu — yes, of Charlie’s Angels and Kill Bill fame — has explored erotic art, producing a series of sensual paintings from 2006 to 2008 in homage to Shunga, a form of Japanese erotic art practiced from the seventeenth to nineteenth centuries.—
Chris Erik Thomas,
Them,
10 Feb. 2025
-
What begins as quiet observation — lingering glances, shared silences — soon blossoms into an intense, sensual romance, culminating in a devastating final shot that will stay with you long after the credits roll.—
Janey Tracey,
EW.com,
7 Feb. 2025
Articles Related to decadent
Thesaurus Entries Near decadent
Cite this Entry
“Decadent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decadent. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share