deprave
verb
de·prave di-ˈprāv 
depraved; depraving
transitive verb
1
archaic : to speak ill of : malign
2
: to make bad : corrupt
especially : to corrupt morally
depravation
ˌde-prə-ˈvā-shən
noun ˌdē-ˌprā-
depravement
di-ˈprāv-mənt
noun depraver
di-ˈprā-vər
noun 
Synonyms
- abase
- bastardize
- canker
- cheapen
- corrupt
- debase
- debauch
- degrade
- demean
- demoralize
- deteriorate
- lessen
- pervert
- poison
- profane
- prostitute
- subvert
- vitiate
- warp
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
the belief that pornography depraves society as a whole
Recent Examples on the Web All writings, unpalatable for one section of the society, cannot be labeled as obscene, vulgar, depraving, prurient and immoral. . . . 
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
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
Etymology
Middle English, from Anglo-French depraver, from Latin depravare to pervert, from de- + pravus crooked, bad
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
depraves
verb
as in debauches
to lower in character, dignity, or quality the belief that pornography depraves society as a whole Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- debauches
- corrupts
- degrades
- poisons
- humiliates
- deteriorates
- perverts
- cankers
- weakens
- subverts
- debases
- abases
- disgraces
- damages
- prostitutes
- destroys
- demeans
- profanes
- pollutes
- vitiates
- bastardizes
- dilutes
- shames
- ruins
- taints
- demoralizes
- contaminates
- humbles
- mars
- lessens
- warps
- harms
- impairs
- cheapens
- thins
- dirties
- defiles
- hurts
- wrecks
- dishonors
- waters down
- flaws
- spoils
- begrimes
- befouls
- tarnishes
- stains
- defaces
- blemishes
- depreciates
- descends
- downgrades
- takes down
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- ennobles
- dignifies
- uplifts
- exalts
- improves
- elevates
- enhances
- enriches
- honors
- perfects
- betters
- ameliorates
- purifies
- restores
- refines
- cleanses
- amends
- cleans
- respects
- clarifies
- meliorates