turpitude
Americannoun
-
vile, shameful, or base character; depravity.
- Synonyms:
- wrongdoing, vileness, vice, wickedness
-
a vile or depraved act.
noun
Etymology
Origin of turpitude
1480–90; < Latin turpitūdō, equivalent to turpi ( s ) base, vile + -tūdō -tude
Explanation
If you are guilty of turpitude, you should be ashamed of yourself. Turpitude is a word that represents depraved behavior. Prisons are filled with criminals who have engaged in acts of moral turpitude. Turpitude comes from the Latin word turpitudo, which means "repulsiveness." Corrupt politicians get booted out of office for acts of turpitude, like taking bribes in exchange for lucrative government contracts. Turpitude often follows the word moral, and acts of moral turpitude are usually crimes that are unusually sick or corrupt.
Vocabulary lists containing turpitude
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100 SAT Words Beginning with "T"
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Wayne State University's Word Warriors: a list of words to revive in your vocabulary
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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.
Mike Feuer, committed “multiple acts of moral turpitude and concealment” related to his involvement in the city attorney’s office’s handling of the legal fallout over a faulty Department of Water and Power billing system.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 18, 2026
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.
From BBC • Oct. 30, 2025
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.
From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 27, 2025
And he has grandstanded constantly about Santos’ turpitude on TV.
From Slate • Nov. 30, 2023
“You accused me of moral turpitude, Mr. Marsden. I am here to say I am not guilty.”
From "Lyddie" by Katherine Paterson
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.
