debauchery

[ dih-baw-chuh-ree ]

/ dɪˈbɔ tʃə ri /

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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR debauchery ON THESAURUS.COM

noun, plural de·bauch·er·ies.

excessive indulgence in sensual pleasures; intemperance.

Archaic. seduction from duty, allegiance, or virtue.

Nearby words

debater, debauch, debauched, debauchee, debaucherous, debauchery, debbie, debbora, debe, debeak, debenture

Origin of debauchery

First recorded in 1635–45; debauch + -ery

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for debauchery

The emperor Nero—known for his debauchery apparently collected the things.
Spain’s New ‘Holy Grail’: Jesus Couldn’t Afford That Kind of Bling|Candida Moss|April 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But only in recent years have athletes begun to divulge lurid details of Olympic sexcapades and debauchery.
Sochi Athletes Get It On At The Tinder Olympics|Lizzie Crocker|February 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Instead, check out Sutherland's Christmas moment of self-awareness, in which he intimates the true source of his debauchery.
When Celebs Get Wasted|Gina Piccalo|December 4, 2010|DAILY BEAST
If Alexander exceeded Achilles in cruelty, may not many go beyond Lovelace in that, as well as in debauchery?
Critical Remarks on Sir Charles Grandison, Clarissa, and Pamela (1754)|Anonymous

Earning their livelihood thus basely, debauchery and crime constitute their every-day history.
Continental Monthly , Vol I, Issue I, January 1862|Various
He was an old soldier, and was supposed to have retained his habits of marauding and debauchery, from his campaigns in Africa.
The Works of Guy de Maupassant, Volume IV (of 8)|Guy de Maupassant
His expression had been senile, his face imprinted with the record of debauchery.
The Bell in the Fog and Other Stories|Gertrude Atherton
Debauchery and unnatural lust—the immoral practices of the Greeks—speedily took root there.
History of the Jews, Vol. I (of 6)|Heinrich Graetz

Word Origin and History for debauchery

debauchery

n.

1640s, from debauch + -ery. With a variety of spellings in 17c., e.g. debaush-, deboich-, debosh-.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper