depraved

adjective

de·​praved di-ˈprāvd How to pronounce depraved (audio)
: marked by corruption or evil
a depraved attack
especially : perverted
the work of depraved minds
depravedly
di-ˈprā-vəd-lē How to pronounce depraved (audio)
-ˈprāvd-lē
adverb
depravedness
di-ˈprā-vəd-nəs How to pronounce depraved (audio)
-ˈprāvd-nəs
noun

Examples of depraved in a Sentence

the work of depraved minds He acted with depraved indifference to human suffering.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Those who want more depraved content, or want to order something specific, can join smaller, more extreme Telegram groups. Rebecca Wright, CNN Money, 30 May 2025 Aussie horror sibs Danny and Michael Philippou one-up themselves with their depraved second feature, a visceral nerve-shredder that thrusts them into the same scream big leagues as Ari Aster, John Carpenter and Jordan Peele. Randy Myers, Mercury News, 28 May 2025 With that said, there is one cinematic Holocaust project that comes closest to depicting the objectively depraved existence of life in a concentration camp, 2015’s Son of Saul, which premiered at Cannes 10 years ago this week. Josh Weiss, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025 This extradition demonstrates the reach and the determination of American law enforcement agencies to track down the most dangerous and depraved of criminals. Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for depraved

Word History

Etymology

see deprave

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of depraved was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Depraved.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/depraved. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

Legal Definition

depraved

adjective
de·​praved di-ˈprāvd How to pronounce depraved (audio)
: marked by moral corruption or perversion as shown by a capacity for extreme and wanton physical cruelty
the depraved state of mind of the murderer
the depraved nature of the crime

More from Merriam-Webster on depraved

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