depraved
Americanadjective
adjective
Related Words
See immoral.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of depraved
Explanation
Depraved is the way to describe perverse behavior lacking moral decency. It's hard to be depraved when you spend your days defining words at your computer, but the mind does wander. Some would argue that morality is a subjective thing, so one man's depravity is another man's good time. Generally speaking, however, depraved is the "go-to word" when describing perverts and serial killers. Some rock stars seek out a depraved reputation, but it's mostly for show — they can be as dull as the rest of us.
Vocabulary lists containing depraved
Flowers for Algernon
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Just Mercy
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Bob Dylan Wins Nobel Prize in Literature
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Calling him a "depraved individual", the judge at Nottingham Crown Court handed him a two-year suspended prison sentence.
From BBC • Apr. 9, 2026
Yet its parties, even at their most decadent and depraved, were never quite cool.
From Slate • Mar. 30, 2026
“I apologize to all who were hurt by this clearly terrible and depraved individual.”
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 11, 2026
In actuality, “The Housemaid” is about as depraved and delicious as a mainstream film can get, packed with narrative twists and guffaw-worthy choices from everyone involved.
From Salon • Jan. 31, 2026
The sudden memory shows him that his hatred is really directed at a depraved governess who had terrified him with frightening stories and left a flaw in his personality.
From "Flowers for Algernon" by Daniel Keyes
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
