depraved

adjective

de·​praved di-ˈprāvd How to pronounce depraved (audio)
: marked by corruption or evil
a depraved attack
especially : perverted
the work of depraved minds
depravedly
di-ˈprā-vəd-lē How to pronounce depraved (audio)
-ˈprāvd-lē
adverb
depravedness
di-ˈprā-vəd-nəs How to pronounce depraved (audio)
-ˈprāvd-nəs
noun

Examples of depraved in a Sentence

the work of depraved minds He acted with depraved indifference to human suffering.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Most of all, the recurring visions of flames and matches that flicker through the depraved fever dreams of Wild at Heart (1990), a movie in which incandescent imagery looms so large that the opening credits unfold against an inferno of Halloween-orange flames. Zach Schonfeld, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2025 The experience for the millions of ordinary Americans threatened by Trump's lawless, depraved rampage has been like a sudden flood after a dam bursts. Dan Perry, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025 The catalyzing incident here is the disappearance of a teen girl, which of course turns into a much larger investigation of more widespread and depraved criminality, as these cases always do on TV. Margaret Lyons, New York Times, 25 Nov. 2024 The depravity of human greed at its most despicable and depraved on full display. Erik Kain, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for depraved 

Word History

Etymology

see deprave

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of depraved was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near depraved

Cite this Entry

“Depraved.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/depraved. Accessed 11 Feb. 2025.

Legal Definition

depraved

adjective
de·​praved di-ˈprāvd How to pronounce depraved (audio)
: marked by moral corruption or perversion as shown by a capacity for extreme and wanton physical cruelty
the depraved state of mind of the murderer
the depraved nature of the crime

More from Merriam-Webster on depraved

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