deprave
verb
transitive verb
Synonyms
- abase
- bastardize
- canker
- cheapen
- corrupt
- debase
- debauch
- degrade
- demean
- demoralize
- deteriorate
- lessen
- pervert
- poison
- profane
- prostitute
- subvert
- vitiate
- warp
Example Sentences
Amitava Kumar, The New Yorker, 12 Dec. 2019 This is especially true when the news operation is clearly on the side of righteousness against a policy as depraved this. David Zurawik, baltimoresun.com, 15 June 2018 This series follows the trails of their obsession, and takes a deep dive into the killers’ depraved psyches to reveal their darkest secrets as investigators close in to end the killer’s reign of terror. Michael O'connell, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Apr. 2018 McDonagh complicates Mildred's story by showing how the lust for justice can grow depraved the longer it is denied — a favorite subject of dramatists going back to Aeschylus. Charles Mcnulty, latimes.com, 1 Mar. 2018 Glorifying any murderer is sickening. Mocking is depraved. Ed O’loughlin, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2018 As depraved a forum as Twitter can be at times, one of its redeeming characteristics is its users' penchant for outing liars in real time. Matthew Martinez, star-telegram, 18 Feb. 2018 The collusion of Breitbart and Fox News, of the governor of Kentucky and of all three Republican Senate candidates in Alabama, is depraved. Yascha Mounk, Slate Magazine, 17 Aug. 2017 He was cursed with the possession of a power and authority which no man of narrow mind, bitter prejudices, and inordinate self-estimation can exercise without depraving himself as well as injuring the nation. Charles P. Pierce, Esquire, 30 June 2017 See More Word History
Middle English, from Anglo-French depraver, from Latin depravare to pervert, from de- + pravus crooked, bad
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
deprave
verb
Synonyms & Similar Words
- corrupt
- debauch
- degrade
- pervert
- humiliate
- subvert
- weaken
- debase
- deteriorate
- poison
- dilute
- canker
- abase
- destroy
- demean
- ruin
- vitiate
- mar
- bastardize
- damage
- pollute
- disgrace
- prostitute
- contaminate
- profane
- taint
- dirty
- demoralize
- warp
- cheapen
- impair
- lessen
- harm
- shame
- defile
- thin
- humble
- dishonor
- hurt
- spoil
- wreck
- water down
- befoul
- tarnish
- stain
- deface
- flaw
- begrime
- depreciate
- descend
- blemish
- downgrade
- take down
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- uplift
- elevate
- exalt
- ennoble
- improve
- better
- enrich
- enhance
- amend
- honor
- perfect
- ameliorate
- dignify
- purify
- restore
- cleanse
- clean
- refine
- meliorate
- clarify
- respect
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of deprave are corrupt, debase, debauch, pervert, and vitiate. While all these words mean "to cause deterioration or lowering in quality or character," deprave implies moral deterioration by evil thoughts or influences.
The meanings of corrupt and deprave largely overlap; however, corrupt implies loss of soundness, purity, or integrity.
While the synonyms debase and deprave are close in meaning, debase implies a loss of position, worth, value, or dignity.
Although the words debauch and deprave have much in common, debauch implies a debasing through sensual indulgence.
In some situations, the words pervert and deprave are roughly equivalent. However, pervert implies a twisting or distorting from what is natural or normal.
While in some cases nearly identical to deprave, vitiate implies a destruction of purity, validity, or effectiveness by allowing entrance of a fault or defect.