depravity
gb/dɪpɹˈævəti/ us/dɪpɹˈævəti/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
formal
C1
state
1
extreme moral corruption
extremely bad or immoral character or behavior.
Usage pattern:
the depravity of [someone/something]
Common mistake:
Depravity is usually uncountable; avoid using it as a simple countable noun (e.g., not typically “one 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.)
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decency (basic standards of acceptable moral behavior.)
|
integrity (honesty and strong moral principles.)
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
Themes
morality
|society
|ethics
Examples
- The novel explores the depravity of a society built on exploitation.
- She was shocked by the depravity she encountered in the online forums.
- The report described years of depravity hidden behind a respectable public image.
Learner examples
- The story shows the depravity of the villain.
- Many people were disturbed by the depravity of the crimes.
Noun
formal
C1
abstract
2
shocking immoral behavior
very bad actions that people find shocking.
Usage pattern:
acts of depravity
Common mistake:
In this sense, depravity often appears with words like acts, scenes, or stories; it still usually stays uncountable on its own.
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.)
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debauchery (focuses on indulgence in sex, alcohol, and pleasure.)
Antonyms
goodness (general moral quality opposite to shocking immorality.)
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restraint (self-control instead of indulgent or 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
Themes
crime
|morality
|media
Examples
- The documentary catalogued decades of depravity and abuse inside the institution.
- Investigators uncovered depravity on a scale the community had never imagined.
- The headlines fixated on lurid details of depravity rather than the victims’ lives.
Learner examples
- The police found evidence of depravity.
- The article described acts of depravity.
Noun
formal
C2
state
3
extreme sexual immorality
very immoral sexual behavior (as some people judge it).
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s sexual depravity
Common mistake:
This use is strongly judgmental; in neutral contexts, speakers often choose more specific terms.
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.)
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
Themes
sexuality
|morality
|media
Examples
- The tabloid framed the affair as proof of the celebrity’s depravity.
- The film was condemned by critics who said it glorified sexual depravity.
- He denied the allegations of depravity and demanded a retraction.
Learner examples
- The newspaper used the word “depravity” to criticize his sexual behavior.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.