depravity
What does "depravity" mean?
Depravity refers to moral corruption or wickedness, describing a state where someone has completely lost their sense of right and wrong. The mental image is one of a person descending into a dark, degraded state where their actions are base, cruel, or deeply immoral. It is a strong, heavy word used primarily in formal or literary contexts to describe extreme behavior or societal decay. You would rarely use this in casual conversation; it is usually reserved for serious discussions about ethics, criminal behavior, or gothic literature.
"depravity" in conversation
Discussing a dark historical novel
I couldn't finish that book; the level of human depravity depicted in the final chapters was just too much for me.
I couldn't finish that book; the level of human depravity depicted in the final chapters was just too much for me.
I agree, it was incredibly bleak.
I agree, it was incredibly bleak.
Used to describe the intensity of immoral themes in fiction.
A history lecture
The collapse of the regime was fueled by the unchecked depravity of its ruling class.
The collapse of the regime was fueled by the unchecked depravity of its ruling class.
So, the moral decay was as much a factor as the economic failure?
So, the moral decay was as much a factor as the economic failure?
Used in an academic context to describe institutional corruption.
"depravity" in a sentence
The novel depicts the depravity of the city's criminal underworld.
The novel depicts the depravity of the city's criminal underworld.
He was shocked by the sheer depravity of the acts committed by the cult.
He was shocked by the sheer depravity of the acts committed by the cult.
The story serves as a grim warning against the depravity that can stem from absolute, unchecked power.
The story serves as a grim warning against the depravity that can stem from absolute, unchecked power.
