total depravity

American  

noun

1. the Calvinist doctrine that humankind's entire nature, including its reason, is corrupt or sinful as a result of the Fall and that people are therefore completely dependent on God for regeneration.

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total depravity British  

noun

1. Calvinist the doctrine that man's nature is totally corrupt as a result of the Fall

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Etymology

Origin of total depravity

First recorded in 1785–95

Example Sentences

It’s just hard to believe that it steered a slightly crooked, often endearing and largehearted man into total depravity.

From New York Times • Jul. 18, 2022

But obviously being raised with the doctrine of total depravity, which Calvinists believe in—once you’re raised that way, you tend to feel guilty.

From Slate • Jun. 13, 2018

Dancing was total depravity to Picasso, who was otherwise unbothered by convention.

From Time Magazine Archive

He can never resist the temptation to draw a moral, and his dogmatic bias in favor of the doctrine of total depravity is only too evident.

From The Gentle Reader by Crothers, Samuel McChord

I once heard a lady, whose name was Gurley, say to a witty gentleman, that she believed "in the total depravity of human nature from the experience of her own heart."

From Education in The Home, The Kindergarten, and The Primary School by Peabody, Elizabeth P. (Palmer)