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
Relevance
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
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 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
-
But Puerto Rico’s rapid growth has also raised concerns about sustainability, environmental degradation and cultural erosion.—
Josh Rivera,
USA Today,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Water-soluble chlorophyll, which gives broccoli its signature color, is vulnerable to degradation during prolonged cooking or boiling.—
Anne Wolf,
Martha Stewart,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Advertisement Both Paxton’s baggage and his history of using his office to troll Democrats is a central feature in the Republican primary, which has devolved into a barrage of personal attacks of betrayal, adultery, and corruption.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Nearly four years into Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukraine was up one point at 36 after an energy sector corruption scandal forced high-level resignations.—
Geir Moulson,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
This approach can be applied to any behavior, including crime and immorality.—
Christopher M. Filley,
The Conversation,
3 Feb. 2026
-
One celebrates the beauty and moral uplift of the Sabbath; the other denounces the immorality of the godless in the fiery manner of a tent-revival preacher.—
Judith Shulevitz,
The Atlantic,
22 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
But does exchanging flirty messages with Ghislaine Maxwell while he was married three years before Jeffrey Epstein was first publicly accused of wrongdoing in 2006 really constitute a career-ending sin?—
James Hibberd,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Easter is the Christian celebration of Jesus Christ's victory over sin and death through his resurrection.—
Chris Sims,
IndyStar,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Also, according to ancient Norse lore, evil and turmoil were brought to the world by the mischievous god Loki, the 13th guest at a dinner party in Valhalla.—
Bailey Allen,
Cape Cod Times,
13 Feb. 2026
-
As far as true evil goes, that's not much of a crime at all.—
Megan McCluskey,
Time,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Denver author Josiah Hesse was raised by Evangelical parents in churches that believe in the torments of hell, that their poverty is due to their sinfulness and lack of faith.—
Sandra Dallas,
Denver Post,
1 Feb. 2026
-
This lawless crew shares dramaturgical DNA with the vice figures from medieval morality plays, personifications of sinfulness who would confide their schemes to the audience and make theatergoers their co-conspirators in a riveting game that obviously left its mark on a young Shakespeare.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
This kind of depravity, licentiousness and polemical theatrics has no place on such a traditional and once wholesome presentation of the coming of a new year in our great nation and especially on the eve of the 250th anniversary of the greatest experiment in democracy and freedom in history.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 Jan. 2026
-
This kind of depravity, licentiousness and polemical theatrics has no place on such a traditional and once-wholesome presentation of the coming of a new year, especially on the eve of the 250th anniversary of the greatest experiment in democracy and freedom in history.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
3 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Libertinism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/libertinism. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
