total depravity

noun

: a state of corruption due to original sin held in Calvinism to infect every part of man's nature and to make the natural man unable to know or obey God

Word History

First Known Use

1794, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of total depravity was in 1794

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Cite this Entry

“Total depravity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/total%20depravity. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.

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