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
Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 11 Feb. 2025
Instinct says to seduce with a decadent chocolate treat, but sadly, my Valentine for the past 20 years isn’t the biggest chocolate lover.
—Martin Sorge, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2025
Melissa Gray, Southern Living, 12 Dec. 2024
Each is scented with decadent Cardamom Chestnut, which features notes of spicy black cardamom, roasted chestnuts, creamy vanilla, and warm woods.
—Jamie Allison Sanders, People.com, 5 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for decadent
Adjective
It was known not only for its duck entrees but an expansive and decadent chocolate dessert bar, said to be the first in the city.
—Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 11 Feb. 2025
Instinct says to seduce with a decadent chocolate treat, but sadly, my Valentine for the past 20 years isn’t the biggest chocolate lover.
—Martin Sorge, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2025
Noun
A little salt balances the sweetness, and chocolate is rich, pleasantly, bitter, sweet and decadent.
—Melissa Gray, Southern Living, 12 Dec. 2024
Each is scented with decadent Cardamom Chestnut, which features notes of spicy black cardamom, roasted chestnuts, creamy vanilla, and warm woods.
—Jamie Allison Sanders, People.com, 5 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for decadent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decadent
Adjective
-
In theory, the walls of carbon nanotubes house a sea of degenerate electrons that have a similar density to metals.—
The Physics arXiv Blog,
Discover Magazine,
14 Feb. 2025
-
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
Adjective
-
The scene in which Anderson single-handedly faces down both the corrupt deputy and the Klan’s most murderous henchman is a master class in range.—
Mary McNamara,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Mar. 2025
-
Schwarz sees the blackout as a way for Americans to use their economic might in the form of their purchasing power to fight corporate greed and corrupt politicians.—
Anne Marie Lee,
CBS News,
28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Discovering the Riviera Maya With its diverse attractions and luxurious resorts, the Riviera Maya remains one of the top destinations for families and wellness travelers.—
Judy Koutsky,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
-
Luxury 2-story Tiny Home Living off the grid has never looked so luxurious.—
Genevieve Cepeda,
Travel + Leisure,
28 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The days of pandering to perverts and woke PFCs are over.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
16 Feb. 2025
-
Another of the girls called Essex a pervert, which prompted their mother to ask more questions.—
Keri Blakinger,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
While Malby was a hedonist and a womanizer, Mathu is a conventional doctor who lives in harmony with his family.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
4 Mar. 2025
-
After a buzzy renovation and reopening in 2023, it’s welcomed a new generation of Tinseltown hedonists.—
Vogue,
Vogue,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
This is bad enough, but then there’s the wide gulf of sensibility that separates Rock and Martin; the latter’s effete irony just doesn’t gel with Rock’s political trenchancy.—
Bill Wyman,
Vulture,
28 Feb. 2025
-
The Portnoy in the pizza videos often has a preening, fussy, almost effete quality that complicates his butch self-image.—
Willy Staley,
New York Times,
19 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Tragically, the Chesapeake remains significantly degraded and its overall water quality has improved only marginally after 41 years.—
Gerald Winegrad,
Baltimore Sun,
10 Feb. 2025
-
Against the backdrop of a degraded web, the improbable success of a volunteer-run website attempting to gather all the world’s knowledge is something to celebrate, not destroy.—
Lila Shroff,
The Atlantic,
5 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Jean, 36, began experimenting with these sensual voiceovers in 2023.—
Leah Asmelash,
CNN,
9 Mar. 2025
-
Free from the arc of awards season, the fashion world set their eyes squarely on Paris Fashion Week’s debuts: first, Haider Ackermann’s sensual take on Tom Ford, and now, to Burton at Givenchy.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
7 Mar. 2025
Articles Related to decadent
Cite this Entry
“Decadent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decadent. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share