debauchery

noun

di-ˈbȯ-chə-rē How to pronounce debauchery (audio)
Definition of debaucherynext
1
as in corruption
immoral conduct or practices harmful or offensive to society the fraternity brothers indulged in shameless debauchery all weekend

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2
as in degradation
a sinking to a state of low moral standards and behavior the minister decried what he called the debauchery of today's society

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3
as in sensuality
excessive pursuit of fleshly pleasures a night of drinking and debauchery at the gentleman's club

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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 debauchery Frankie impulsively breaks Taylor out of hospice care for one final night of fun and debauchery, but what promises to be a night of hedonism quickly becomes something much more complicated. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 11 Aug. 2026 Great for après-beach debauchery, this coastal spot is known for its abundance of beach activities, like volleyball, paddleboarding, and surfing. — Adeline Duff, Travel + Leisure, 26 June 2026 An example of the previously undisclosed debauchery includes a pair female twins allegedly hooking themselves up to a car battery for $10,000. — Derek Lawrence, Entertainment Weekly, 23 June 2026 Children are well catered for, adults can oscillate between wellness and mild debauchery, and the sheer variety of spaces means groups can coexist without being on top of one another. — Arion McNicoll, TheWeek, 15 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for debauchery
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debauchery
  1. corruption
  2. degradation
  3. sensuality
  4. immorality
  5. greed
  6. sin
  7. hedonism
  8. evil
Noun
  • Talarico’s success so far can partly be chalked up to voters’ apprehensions toward Paxton, who faced questions in his past over corruption, including being impeached by his own party in the Texas legislature.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Blagojevich was impeached, removed from office by a unanimous 59-0 Illinois Senate vote and convicted of federal corruption offenses.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of corruption
Noun
  • The degradation is shameful, and shamefully compelling to read about.
    — James Wood, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026
  • The work also revises some degradation mechanisms described in earlier scientific literature, which the researchers said had relied largely on assumptions rather than experimental evidence.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of degradation
Noun
  • The styles embody Frisoni’s signature design philosophy which captures the tension between sensuality and ease.
    — Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2026
  • But the sensuality vibing between Elinor and Ferrars between meetings both furtive and not offers at least one romantic pairing to root for.
    — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of sensuality
Noun
  • Since the middle of the twentieth century, societies around the globe have undergone a collective revolution in standards and attitudes towards obscenity and immorality.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Independents said the worst thing about Republicans was their loyalty to Trump (10%), perceptions of corruption and self-enrichment (8%), dishonesty, hypocrisy or immorality (7%), a lack of concern for ordinary people or cruelty (6%), and ineffective and weak or unqualified leadership (5%).
    — Emily Guskin, ABC News, 27 May 2026
Definition of immorality
Noun
  • When a quarrel over an inheritance revives old hostilities, their relationship comes under pressure from greed and treachery in a conflict not of their making.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The lawsuits, in his eyes, are simply cases of personal misfortune and landlord greed.
    — Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of greed
Noun
  • Catholic teaching still calls suicide a grave sin, but recognizes mental illness can diminish responsibility; advocates want mental health ministries in parishes worldwide.
    — Luis Andres Henao, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026
  • If the sin of Mars’ album was being too predictable, Styles’ bold and unexpected Kiss All the Time.
    — Alan Light, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of sin
Noun
  • And 1014 Gallery’s show of Vincent Wechselberger’s handprints, documenting the hedonism and tenderness that have colored a decade of the photographer’s life in Berlin, is reason enough for a Dalston detour.
    — Mahoro Seward, Vogue, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The dance floor can be both refuge and revolution, and throughout Latin America, women are leading the sounds and scenes committed to sweaty hedonism.
    — Richard Villegas, Rolling Stone, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of hedonism
Noun
  • Rather than doing a literal adaptation, the creators kept the book’s DNA and tweaked the ideas of evil, temptation and power with a contemporary twist.
    — Annika Pham, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
  • But disagreement does not necessarily mean that one side possesses wisdom while the other possesses ignorance or evil.
    — Rabbi Bruce D. Forman, Sun Sentinel, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of evil

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Cite this Entry

“Debauchery.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debauchery. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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