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Hedonistic
Characterized by the pursuit of pleasure; self-indulgent and pleasure-seeking.
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Imagine This
Imagine a person at a sunlit seaside resort who chooses dessert after dessert, attends parties nightly, and book-ends days with spa treatments—purely focused on sensory pleasures rather than work or duty.
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Sounds Like
HEH-doh-NIS-tik
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Looks Like
Related to hedonism; shares root with hedonism and hedonist
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Remember This
Etymology ties to Greek hedone meaning 'pleasure'; hedonism is the philosophy that pursuing pleasure is the highest good. Hedonistic describes the lifestyle or attitude; hedonic relates to pleasure in general.
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Other Forms
hedonismnoun
hedonistnoun
hedonisticallyadverb
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Connect With
pleasure-seeking, self-indulgent, sybaritic, decadent, hedonism
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Note
Often carries a negative connotation when describing someone as indulgent or lacking in restraint. Distinguish from neutral uses of 'pleasure-seeking' where the behavior is not excessive or morally charged.
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Study Deeper
Examples
- The film portrays a hedonistic lifestyle filled with parties, luxury, and constant travel.
- Philosophers debate whether a hedonistic approach can lead to lasting happiness.
Synonyms
pleasure-seekingself-indulgentsybariticdecadentsensual
Antonyms
asceticabstinentausteretemperate
Etymology
From Greek hedone 'pleasure' + -istikos 'of or belonging to; characterized by', via Latin hedōnisticus and English hedonic/hedonistic.
Mnemonic
Mnemonic: Hedonistic = Hedon + -istic; picture Hedon, a character who is always chasing pleasure, never chores. He embodies a life of doing nice indulgences constantly.
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Similar Words
Related words and words with the same part of speech.
Abstruse
adjectiveDifficult to understand; obscure or highly complex.
Accidental
adjectiveHappening by chance or without deliberate planning; not intended. In music, it is also a noun for a symbol that temporarily alters a pitch.
Acerbic
adjectiveSharp or biting in tone or taste; caustic or mordant in manner.
Acquiescent
adjectiveReady to agree or approve without protest; compliant.
Adamant
adjectiveRigid in opinion or purpose; not willing to change one's mind or position.
Adept
adjectiveHaving or showing a high level of skill or proficiency; very capable.
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