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

See Examples For:

total depravity

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

I don’t beleave in total depravity, every man haz sumthing in him to show that God made him.

From The Complete Works of Josh Billings by Henry W. Shaw

I repudiate the popular idea of man's degradation and total depravity.

From History of Woman Suffrage, Volume I by Elizabeth Cady Stanton