1
as in degradation
a sinking to a state of low moral standards and behavior
a group of urban bohemians who were better known for their libertinism than for their intellectualism
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in corruption
immoral conduct or practices harmful or offensive to society
even by the standards of ancient Rome, Caligula's reign was marked by a libertinism that went beyond the pale
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of libertinism
Still, a story that’s equal parts an exploration of libertinism and also a scorching take on the elite remained a tempting narrative to explore.
—
Abbey White, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Nov. 2024
Where his first two books take Bulgaria as backdrop and a certain kind of soft-skinned, deeply feeling libertinism as narrative vehicle, Small Rain functions as a midlife sequel, one that is quietly, unabashedly romantic.
—Sarah Thankam Mathews, Vulture, 29 Aug. 2024
To some, the campus became the place where the children of American postwar affluence failed to live up to all that had been invested in them, opting instead for campus protest, radical politics, and libertinism.
—Adrian Daub / Made By History, TIME, 3 Sep. 2024
In other words, liberals refuse to acknowledge that political liberalism gives rise to private libertinism.
—Becca Rothfeld, Washington Post, 3 July 2024
Each letter affords Stauffer a chance to ruminate on whatever facet of the poet’s history and character happened to be glittering most brightly at the time, from his devotion to the cause of Greek independence in the fight against Ottoman rule to the libertinism for which he is famed.
—The New Yorker, 12 June 2024
The era of libertinism — a philosophy devoted to the pursuit of pleasure — died out in the 19th century.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Jan. 2024
Evil excited certain Surrealists who, for instance, celebrated the predatory libertinism of the Marquis de Sade.
—Peter Schjeldahl, The New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2021
Sade, after all, viewed himself not just as a libertine, but as a philosopher of libertinism (one of his works was titled Philosophy in the Boudoir).
—Mitchell Abidor, The New York Review of Books, 12 Feb. 2020
Abbey White, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Nov. 2024
Where his first two books take Bulgaria as backdrop and a certain kind of soft-skinned, deeply feeling libertinism as narrative vehicle, Small Rain functions as a midlife sequel, one that is quietly, unabashedly romantic.
—Sarah Thankam Mathews, Vulture, 29 Aug. 2024
To some, the campus became the place where the children of American postwar affluence failed to live up to all that had been invested in them, opting instead for campus protest, radical politics, and libertinism.
—Adrian Daub / Made By History, TIME, 3 Sep. 2024
In other words, liberals refuse to acknowledge that political liberalism gives rise to private libertinism.
—Becca Rothfeld, Washington Post, 3 July 2024
Each letter affords Stauffer a chance to ruminate on whatever facet of the poet’s history and character happened to be glittering most brightly at the time, from his devotion to the cause of Greek independence in the fight against Ottoman rule to the libertinism for which he is famed.
—The New Yorker, 12 June 2024
The era of libertinism — a philosophy devoted to the pursuit of pleasure — died out in the 19th century.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Jan. 2024
Evil excited certain Surrealists who, for instance, celebrated the predatory libertinism of the Marquis de Sade.
—Peter Schjeldahl, The New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2021
Sade, after all, viewed himself not just as a libertine, but as a philosopher of libertinism (one of his works was titled Philosophy in the Boudoir).
—Mitchell Abidor, The New York Review of Books, 12 Feb. 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for libertinism
Noun
-
Sharon Perez, senior business development manager at Lenzing Group, noted that there are three potential ways to design with a product’s end of life in mind: circularity, degradation and durability.—
Sarah Jones,
Sourcing Journal,
1 Apr. 2025
-
Many countries and regions are recognizing the importance of integrating conservation principles into their agricultural practices, particularly in areas facing significant agricultural challenges due to climate change, soil degradation, and resource scarcity.—
Ellen Choi,
Forbes.com,
30 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Confidential finds a powerful political lobbyist shot to death, his apparent suicide highlighting a bizarre turn in Ohio’s largest public corruption case accidentaly uncovered by federal investigators that was nearly concealed by loose super PAC campaign financing rules.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
7 Apr. 2025
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When their late boss, Captain Howard (Joe Pantoliano), is reported to have engaged in corruption tied to drug cartels, Mike and Marcus vow to clear his name.—
Tommy McArdle,
People.com,
7 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Now, more than two years after the Evros Thirty-eight made landfall on the islet, Little Maria is practically a household name, synonymous with refugees’ immorality and the malfeasance of NGOs and journalists.—
Lauren Markham,
Harper's Magazine,
19 Feb. 2025
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At its core, moral outrage is a response to the feeling that others are acting immorally and that their immorality is destroying society.—
Yaakov Katz,
Newsweek,
7 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Landing in the bottom are Henry (for the sin of a spongy scallion pancake), Paula (for texture issues), and Bailey (for the aforementioned Pile of Stuff).—
Caroline Framke,
Vulture,
20 Mar. 2025
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But the occasional poach is perhaps no great sin, more akin to driving over the speed limit than, say, starting a forest fire.—
Mark Sundeen,
Outside Online,
19 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Here, doing nothing when evil is committed is its own form of evil.—
Oline H. Cogdill,
Sun Sentinel,
27 Mar. 2025
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Together, the two men battle the forces of evil, each other and their own personal demons on the path to salvation.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
26 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Libertinism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/libertinism. Accessed 10 Apr. 2025.
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