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
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
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Recent Examples of decadent
David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 10 Feb. 2026
Adding decadent dishes like beef Wellington and prawn cocktail isn't just a step back in time.
—Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 10 Feb. 2026
Stephanie Sporn, Vogue, 31 Oct. 2025
Perhaps the only thing more decadent than a high-end steakhouse is a high-end steakhouse in Las Vegas.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 19 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decadent
Adjective
Frankenstein is nominated for nine Oscars, the bulk of which highlight its decadent design, all rooted in the kind of deep, immersive research that Deverell describes.
—David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 10 Feb. 2026
Adding decadent dishes like beef Wellington and prawn cocktail isn't just a step back in time.
—Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 10 Feb. 2026
Noun
Adding to the decadent painting’s lore, Alma-Tadema allegedly had thousands of roses shipped from France to his London studio when completing the work.
—Stephanie Sporn, Vogue, 31 Oct. 2025
Perhaps the only thing more decadent than a high-end steakhouse is a high-end steakhouse in Las Vegas.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 19 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decadent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decadent
Adjective
-
Today, the urgent challenge before the royal family and many other institutions protected by mystique is whether the often degenerate select few in charge can still persuade the mass of people to remain beguiled and accept authority.—
Sean Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
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For reasons still not wholly understood, these ultradense objects—each about the mass of our star squeezed into a bizarre, city-sized ball of degenerate quantum matter—undergo starquakes in which the material on the surface shifts a bit like in an earthly tremor.—
Phil Plait,
Scientific American,
22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The corrupt a-s psychopath prosecutors’ office.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
15 Feb. 2026
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The film stars Jake Busey (Stranger Things) as Dirk, a corrupt cop who partners with an eager, broke assistant named Jeff Klima, played by Felix Merback (Blood Star).—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Mesa is a perfect family town with many safe and luxurious neighborhood communities, like the Eastmark neighborhood.—
Paige Moore,
AZCentral.com,
10 Feb. 2026
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Cyklar Roll-On Perfume Oil Made from a blend of cardamom, amber, cashmere wood, and vanilla, this luxurious perfume oil evokes a cozy, irresistible feel that’s perfect for winter as well as year-round wear.—
Melony Forcier,
InStyle,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Then, about refocusing our attention on the challenges ahead, like pervert incentives and algorithms that aren’t in line with human flourishing.—
Jazz Monroe,
Pitchfork,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Also, what many now interpret as Kubrick’s exposé of elite perverts was, in fact, mostly Schnitzler’s doing.—
Lane Brown,
Vulture,
17 Dec. 2025
Noun
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Another cousin, the son of my industrialist uncle, has given up regattas and the hedonist’s life for a position in his father’s company that is, like all companies in Turkey, faltering under the tremendous burden of an economy in tailspin.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Feb. 2026
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Maison Souquet Just across the street from the Moulin Rouge, the marvelously lavish Maison Souquet offers a sensual retreat that pays homage to the hideaway’s former reputation as a discreet brothel for wealthy hedonists.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Scarf critics accuse the accessory—and by extension, its wearers—of being effete or affected.—
Eric Twardzik,
Robb Report,
1 Dec. 2025
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What we’re left with is an effete description that exists for itself and doesn’t illuminate the character.—
Hannah Gold,
New Yorker,
29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The patriarch’s rage at feeling degraded in America turns the home into a war zone.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Variety,
1 Feb. 2026
-
The company acknowledges that direct recycling will not replace chemical methods entirely, particularly for mixed or degraded end-of-life batteries.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The comments section was filled with love for Kidman’s sweet yet sensual social media post, including from celebrity friend Michelle Pfeiffer.—
Stephanie Giang-Paunon,
FOXNews.com,
14 Feb. 2026
-
The combustible mix of sensual spitfire and mama-bear ferocity has made Angela a controversial presence on the show.—
Sarah Hepola,
Dallas Morning News,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Decadent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decadent. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.
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