LIBERTINISM Synonyms: 103 Similar and Opposite Words

libertinism

noun

ˈli-bər-ˌtē-ˌni-zəm

Definition of libertinism

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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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 But in Anglo-American culture, periods of libertinism are followed by periods of restraint. — Sean Woods, Rolling Stone, 25 May 2026 Contrary to the crusty, chaotic libertinism of their shows, the band is disarmingly sweet and funny in person despite being duly crude. — Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2026 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 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for libertinism

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

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

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

Formerly, Christians were taught that greed--that is, the immoderate pursuit and love of money--was a sin.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026
Per the official logline, in the final season, as the survivors race to bury their sins before rescue arrives and an old flame roars back into town with plans of her own.

— Denise Petski, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of sin

Noun

At the heart of this work was a fundamental question about good and evil.

— Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2026
Wright also interrogates the boundary between severe mental illness and evil, and wonders whether, even in extreme cases, redemption might be possible.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of evil

Noun

But soon after, in Genesis 18, God tells Abraham of plans to investigate reports of sinfulness in Sodom and Gomorrah.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 July 2026
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

Definition of sinfulness

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

Definition of licentiousness

Browse Nearby Words

libertines

libertinism

liberty

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“Libertinism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/libertinism. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of libertinism

noun

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