depravity
gb/dɪpɹˈævəti/ us/dɪpɹˈævəti/
C1
English
romlottság, elvetemültség, szexuális perverzió
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
1
romlottság
C1
Usage pattern:
the depravity of [someone/something]
The novel explores the depravity of a society built on exploitation.
A regény egy kizsákmányolásra épülő társadalom romlottságát vizsgálja.
She was shocked by the depravity she encountered in the online forums.
Megdöbbentette az a romlottság, amellyel az online fórumokon találkozott.
The report described years of depravity hidden behind a respectable public image.
Learner examples
The story shows the depravity of the villain.
A történet megmutatja a gonosztevő romlottságát.
Many people were disturbed by the depravity of the crimes.
Sokakat felkavart a bűncselekményekben megnyilvánuló romlottság.
Common mistake:
Depravity is usually uncountable; avoid using it as a simple countable noun (e.g., not typically “one depravity”).
Meaning
extreme moral corruption
Collocations
moral depravity
|human depravity
|utter depravity
|sheer depravity
|the depths of depravity
|sink into depravity
|a symbol of depravity
|the depravity of the regime
|descend into depravity
|evidence of depravity
Synonyms
wickedness (more general; less analytical than depravity.)
|
immorality (broader and often less intense than depravity.)
|
corruption (often suggests abuse of power or being spoiled over time.)
|
vice (focuses on habitual immoral behavior or temptations.)
|
degeneracy (often implies moral decline and is more judgmental.)
Antonyms
virtue (moral excellence, the opposite of moral corruption.)
|
decency (basic standards of acceptable moral behavior.)
|
integrity (honesty and strong moral principles.)
Themes
morality
|society
|ethics
Definition
extremely bad or immoral character or behavior.
serious moral corruption; the quality of being very wicked or immoral.
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
2
Usage pattern:
acts of depravity
The documentary catalogued decades of depravity and abuse inside the institution.
A dokumentumfilm az intézményen belüli elvetemültség és bántalmazás évtizedeit vette számba.
Investigators uncovered depravity on a scale the community had never imagined.
A nyomozók olyan mértékű elvetemültséget tártak fel, amilyet a közösség elképzelni sem tudott.
The headlines fixated on lurid details of depravity rather than the victims’ lives.
Learner examples
The police found evidence of depravity.
A rendőrség elvetemült tettekre utaló bizonyítékokat talált.
The article described acts of depravity.
A cikk elvetemültségre valló cselekedeteket írt le.
Common mistake:
In this sense, depravity often appears with words like acts, scenes, or stories; it still usually stays uncountable on its own.
Meaning
shocking immoral behavior
Collocations
acts of depravity
|scenes of depravity
|tales of depravity
|a display of depravity
|a catalogue of depravity
|a descent into depravity
|the city’s depravity
|public depravity
|private depravity
|depravity and violence
Synonyms
atrocity (emphasizes cruelty and horror, often in war or crime.)
|
perversion (suggests behavior seen as twisted from what is normal; can be sexual or nonsexual.)
|
debauchery (focuses on indulgence in sex, alcohol, and pleasure.)
Antonyms
goodness (general moral quality opposite to shocking immorality.)
|
restraint (self-control instead of indulgent or immoral behavior.)
Themes
crime
|morality
|media
Definition
very bad actions that people find shocking.
shocking immoral or cruel behavior, especially when described as a series of actions or incidents.
NOUN
C2
FORMAL
3
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s sexual depravity
The tabloid framed the affair as proof of the celebrity’s depravity.
A bulvárlap a viszonyt a híresség szexuális perverziójának bizonyítékaként tálalta.
The film was condemned by critics who said it glorified sexual depravity.
A filmet elítélték a kritikusok, akik szerint dicsőítette a szexuális perverziót.
He denied the allegations of depravity and demanded a retraction.
Learner examples
The newspaper used the word “depravity” to criticize his sexual behavior.
Az újság a „depravity” szót használta a férfi szexuális viselkedésének bírálatára.
Common mistake:
This use is strongly judgmental; in neutral contexts, speakers often choose more specific terms.
Meaning
extreme sexual immorality
Collocations
sexual depravity
|accusations of depravity
|charges of depravity
|hidden depravity
|alleged depravity
|obsessed with depravity
|stories of depravity
|depravity and scandal
|a portrayal of depravity
|whispers of depravity
Synonyms
debauchery (often implies excessive sex and partying rather than a single shocking act.)
|
lewdness (more about indecent speech or behavior; usually less extreme.)
|
perversion (commonly used for sexual behavior considered abnormal by the speaker.)
Antonyms
chastity (sexual restraint, especially for moral or religious reasons.)
|
modesty (avoiding sexual display or indecency.)
Themes
sexuality
|morality
|media
Definition
very immoral sexual behavior (as some people judge it).
extreme sexual immorality or behavior judged as perverted, especially in moralistic or sensational descriptions.
Grammar
Dictionary form
depravity
IPA
GB/dɪpɹˈævəti/
US/dɪpɹˈævəti/
Syllables & stress
de - prav - ity (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (prav)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: depravity
- Plural: depravities, depravity
Word family
Expressions
a life of depravity
1/ə lˈaɪf əv dɪpɹˈævəti/
fixed phrase
formal
immoral lifestyle
a way of living that is very immoral.
Examples
- The biography portrays him as a genius who also lived a life of depravity.
- She left behind a life of depravity and tried to rebuild her relationships.
Learner examples
- He led a life of depravity for years.
acts of depravity
1/ˈækts əv dɪpɹˈævəti/
fixed phrase
formal
shocking immoral actions
very bad actions that shock people.
Examples
- Prosecutors detailed acts of depravity that took place over several months.
- The novel opens with acts of depravity meant to unsettle the reader.
Learner examples
- The court heard about acts of depravity.
sink into depravity
1/sˈɪŋk ˈɪntu dɪpɹˈævəti/
fixed phrase
formal
become morally worse
to slowly become very immoral.
Examples
- After losing his job, he sank into depravity and isolation.
- The memoir describes how easy it was to sink into depravity when no one intervened.
Learner examples
- He sank into depravity after years of addiction.
the depths of depravity
1/ðə dˈɛpθs əv dɪpɹˈævəti/
fixed phrase
formal
the worst moral level
the worst possible kind of badness.
Examples
- The case revealed the depths of depravity the victims had endured.
- Commentators said the attack showed the depths of depravity in the group’s ideology.
Learner examples
- The crime showed the depths of depravity.
wallow in depravity
1/wˈɑloʊ ˈɪn dɪpɹˈævəti/
fixed phrase
formal
enjoy immoral behavior
to enjoy doing immoral things without shame.
Examples
- Critics accused the film of wallowing in depravity for shock value.
- He rejected the apology, saying the company had wallowed in depravity for years.