Decadent — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective noun /ˈde-kə-dənt/ dec·a·dent

Meaning & Definition of Decadent

Decadent (adjective)

  1. characterized by or appealing to self-indulgence
  2. marked by decay or decline
  3. of or relating to a group of late 19th century French and English writers emphasizing artificial and unconventional subjects, of or relating to the decadents

Decadent (noun)

  1. one of a group of late 19th century French and English writers emphasizing artificial and unconventional subjects
  2. one that is marked by decay or decline, one that is decadent

Decadent (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. having lost forcefulness, courage, or spirit

    "social critics claimed that their culture had become decadent and weak"

    similar: decayed, degenerate, effete, overripe, washed-up
    related: overrefined, precious, decaying, declining, dying, failing, waning, debilitated, enervate, enervated, enfeebled, feeble, frail, languid, sapped, soft, wasted, weak, weakened, wimpy, dissolute, immoral, debased, debauched, degraded, demoralized, depraved, dissipated

  2. having or showing lowered moral character or standards

    "opponents of gambling casinos claim that gambling is a decadent form of entertainment"

    similar: corrupt, debased, debauched, degenerate, degraded, demoralized, depraved, dissipated, dissolute, jackleg, libertine, loose, perverse, perverted, rakehell, rakish, reprobate, sick, unclean, unwholesome, warped
    related: bent (chiefly British), crooked, cutthroat, dishonest, unethical, unprincipled, unscrupulous, contaminated, spoiled, tainted, bad, evil, immoral, iniquitous, miscreant, nefarious, sinful, vicious, wicked
    opposite: pure, uncorrupt, uncorrupted
    near: incorruptible, ethical, honest, principled, good, moral, righteous, virtuous

  3. given to or marked by excessive gratification of one's desires

    "the impressionable heiress couldn't resist the decadent temptations of the jet-set life"

    similar: hedonistic, indulgent, luxurious, overindulgent, self-indulgent, sybaritic
    related: carnal, fleshly, sensual, sensuous, voluptuous, masturbatory, onanistic, self-absorbed, self-obsessed, gluttonous, greedy, rapacious, voracious, extravagant, incontinent, intemperate, reckless, splurging, uncontrolled, wanton
    opposite: self-abnegating, self-denying
    near: abstemious, abstinent, continent, sober, temperate, ascetic, austere, spartan, disciplined, self-controlled, self-disciplined, self-governed

Decadent (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a person who has sunk below the normal moral standard

    "avant-garde artists who were scorned by the bourgeoisie as talentless decadents"

    similar: backslider, debauchee, debaucher, degenerate, deviate, libertine, perv, pervert, profligate, rake, rakehell, rip
    related: sickie, sicko, bankrupt, delinquent, derelict, incorrigible, blackguard, cad, heel, knave, miscreant, rascal, reprobate, rogue, scoundrel, villain, lecher, playboy, playgirl, satyr
    near: saint

  2. a person whose life is devoted to luxury and sensual pleasures

    "a decadent who squandered her once considerable family fortune"

    similar: debauchee, hedonist, sensualist, sybarite, voluptuary
    related: Cyrenaic, Epicurean, bon vivant, epicure, glutton, gourmand, libertine, playboy, rake, roué, playgirl
    opposite: ascetic
    near: killjoy, spoilsport, wet blanket, fuddy-duddy, prude, straight arrow

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Decadent

The most common words with a similar meaning to Decadent:

decayed, degenerate, effete, overripe, washed-up, corrupt, debased, debauched, degraded, demoralized, depraved, dissipated, dissolute, jackleg, libertine, loose, perverse, perverted, rakehell, rakish, reprobate, sick, unclean, unwholesome, warped, hedonistic, indulgent, luxurious, overindulgent, self-indulgent, sybaritic, backslider, debauchee, debaucher, deviate, perv, pervert, profligate, rake, rip

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Decadent

Words with the opposite meaning of Decadent:

pure, uncorrupt, uncorrupted, self-abnegating, self-denying, ascetic

Related Words for Decadent

overrefined, precious, decaying, declining, dying, failing, waning, debilitated, enervate, enervated, enfeebled, feeble, frail, languid, sapped, soft, wasted, weak, weakened, wimpy, immoral, bent, crooked, cutthroat, dishonest, unethical, unprincipled, unscrupulous, contaminated, spoiled

Near Antonyms of Decadent

incorruptible, ethical, honest, principled, good, moral, righteous, virtuous, abstemious, abstinent, continent, sober, temperate, austere, spartan, disciplined, self-controlled, self-disciplined, self-governed, saint, killjoy, spoilsport, wet blanket, fuddy-duddy, prude, straight arrow

Word Forms of Decadent

Derived words: decadently (adverb)

Origin & Etymology of Decadent

back-formation from decadence

First known use: 1837

Frequently Asked Questions about Decadent

What does "Decadent" mean?

"Decadent" means characterized by or appealing to self-indulgence. As an an adjective and a noun, it is defined as: characterized by or appealing to self-indulgence. It has 5 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Decadent"?

Other words for "Decadent" include decayed, degenerate, effete, overripe, washed-up, corrupt, debased and debauched. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Decadent" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Decadent"?

There are 128 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Decadent". Common alternatives include decayed, degenerate, effete, overripe, washed-up, corrupt, debased, debauched, degraded and demoralized.

What is the opposite of "Decadent"?

Antonyms of "Decadent" include pure, uncorrupt, uncorrupted, self-abnegating, self-denying and ascetic. Near antonyms include incorruptible, ethical, honest and principled.

How do you use "Decadent" in a sentence?

Examples of "Decadent" in a sentence: "social critics claimed that their culture had become decadent and weak"; "opponents of gambling casinos claim that gambling is a decadent form of entertainment"; "the impressionable heiress couldn't resist the decadent temptations of the jet-set life".

Is "Decadent" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Decadent" can be used as an adjective and a noun, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Decadent"?

"Decadent" is pronounced /ˈde-kə-dənt/ and divided into syllables as dec·a·dent.

What is the origin of the word "Decadent"?

"Decadent" comes from back-formation from decadence. First known use: 1837.