Decadence
A decline in cultural and moral standards, often accompanied by excessive self-indulgence and luxury.
nounDecadence
A decline in cultural and moral standards, often accompanied by excessive self-indulgence and luxury.
nounImagine This
Cadets at West Point are usually associated with high moral standards. Therefore, decadence is parting away from those high moral standards.
Sounds Like
DEK-uh-dens
Looks Like
looks like 'decadent' (similar spelling) and contains 'cadence'
Remember This
Decadence comes from Latin decadere, meaning 'to fall down'; it often implies both moral decline and luxurious excess.
Other Forms
Connect With
decline, decay, deterioration, degeneration, corruption, excess
Note
Do not confuse decadence with decadently (adverb) or decadent (adjective). Decadence refers to decline or self-indulgence, whereas decadent describes the quality of being indulgent or morally deteriorated.
Study Deeper
- The fall of the dynasty was marked by moral decadence and lavish excess.
- Critics argued that the novel depicts the decadence of a society obsessed with wealth and pleasure.
From Latin decadere 'to fall down, sink', with de- (down) + cadere (to fall); the noun form emerges via French decadence.
Mnemonic: DE + CADENCE = away from the cadence. Decadence is moving away from the usual moral rhythm or pattern of a society.
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Exploit
verb (also noun)To make use of something, especially for gain or advantage; to use someone or something in an unethical or unfair way.
Obligation
nounA duty or commitment; something you are bound to do, whether by law, contract, or moral principle.
Seclude
verbTo keep someone or something apart from others; to withdraw into solitude or to hide away.
Similar Words
Related words and words with the same part of speech.
Abasement
nounThe act or instance of humiliating or degrading someone; the state of being lowered in dignity or status.
Absurdity
nounThe quality or state of being wildly unreasonable, illogical, or ridiculous; something that is completely contrary to reason or common sense.
Accent
nounA distinctive way of pronouncing words; the act of emphasizing a syllable or word (as a verb, to accent means to emphasize).
Accolade
nounAn honor; a public expression of praise or an award.
Acrimony
nounBitterness of speech or manner; ill feeling
Acronym
nounA word formed from the initial letters of a phrase, pronounced as a single word and used as a shorthand for the full name (for example, NASA or radar).