turpitude

[tur-pi-tood, -tyood]

noun

1. vile, shameful, or base character; depravity.

   Synonyms: wrongdoing, vileness, vice, wickedness

2. a vile or depraved act.

turpitude

/ ˈtɜːpɪˌtjuːd /

noun

1. base character or action; depravity

Word History and Origins

Origin of turpitude¹

1480–90; < Latin turpitūdō, equivalent to turpi ( s ) base, vile + -tūdō -tude

Word History and Origins

Origin of turpitude¹

C15: from Latin turpitūdō ugliness, from turpis base

Example Sentences

She had previously said a failure to hold the inquiry would be "the epitome of moral and ethical turpitude", adding only an inquiry would reveal the truth.

Read more on BBC

Moral relativism and the ratchet effect will ensure that there is always some precedent close enough to persuade people to shrug even when confronted with some evidence of genuine turpitude on their own side.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

That was the backdrop when the state accused Summer Boismier of “moral turpitude” and then revoked her teaching license last year.

Read more on Salon

But it seems reasonable to assume that Trump’s sudden obsession with Hall of Fame eligibility standards has to do not merely with Rose’s baseball infractions, but also with the ballplayer’s moral turpitude off the field.

Read more on Salon

When the case went to trial, Duran’s lawyer — who State Bar of California records show was later disbarred for unrelated “acts of moral turpitude” — put on what Baca described as a “grossly ineffective” defense.

Read more on Los Angeles Times