debauch
1 of 2verb
de·bauch di-ˈbȯch 
-ˈbäch,
dē-
debauched; debauching; debauches
transitive verb
1
a
: to corrupt by intemperance or sensuality
debauched poets
a debauched society
b
: to lead away from virtue or excellence
debauched by ambition
factory methods … debauched Victorian design 
Country Life
Country Life2
a
: to seduce from chastity
notorious for debauching young women
b
archaic : to make disloyal
debaucher noun
debauch
2 of 2noun
1
: an act or occasion of extreme indulgence in sensuality or carnal pleasures : an act or occasion of debauchery
2
: orgy
a debauch of pleasure
Synonyms
Verb
- abase
- bastardize
- canker
- cheapen
- corrupt
- debase
- degrade
- demean
- demoralize
- deprave
- deteriorate
- lessen
- pervert
- poison
- profane
- prostitute
- subvert
- vitiate
- warp
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Verb the long stay on a tropical isle had debauched the ship's crew to the point where they no longer acted like naval professionals
Recent Examples on the Web Timothy Kent Holliday, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Apr. 2020 His voice is chirpy-thin, making his stories of debauched after-hours excess sound like child’s play. New York Times, 9 May 2018 Given this is a bachelorette party, though, her activities are sure to be slightly more debauched — perhaps something fun with vaginal jade eggs? Amanda Arnold, The Cut, 11 Apr. 2018 This is middle ages debauchery, when people really knew how to debauch. Kelly Kazek, AL.com, 16 Mar. 2018 Prohibition failed because too few Americans agreed that all drinking was debauched. The Economist, 19 Dec. 2017 The ruling class became hoggishly self-indulgent: Mr Heffer lacerates Edward VII for his habit of sponging off his friends and debauching their wives. The Economist, 7 Oct. 2017 If memory serves, Sixx’s proudly debauched autobiography was pretty graphic all by itself. George Varga, sandiegouniontribune.com, 19 July 2017 Lofing, who is married, faced a misdemeanor charge of debauching a minor and on Monday was sentenced to 90 days in jail. Alex Thomas, ajc, 19 July 2017 Gwen Filosa, sun-sentinel.com, 22 Mar. 2022 After the fashion industry disgraced itself by banishing Melania Trump, this latest debauch comes as no surprise. Armond White, National Review, 10 Mar. 2021 Take a break from taking a break with a long debauch at the Chateau Marmont? Washington Post, 20 Oct. 2020 In stark contrast to Mr Sehic’s debauches, hundreds of starving Bosniaks, led by small numbers of armed men, raid surrounding Serb villages for food. The Economist, 3 Oct. 2019 Pain and Glory Rated R for language, recreational drug use and remembrance of debauches past. Manohla Dargis, New York Times, 3 Oct. 2019 Hot Springs was a wild town in those days—a spa for rich northerners, a debauch of illegal gambling, fancy nightclubs, and the Oaklawn racetrack. Joe Klein, Daily Intelligencer, 30 June 2017 See More
Verb
The medical community and laypersons alike often blamed victims of the disease for their own suffering, believing that vicious, debauched, and unhygienic lifestyles begat typhus. Timothy Kent Holliday, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Apr. 2020 His voice is chirpy-thin, making his stories of debauched after-hours excess sound like child’s play. New York Times, 9 May 2018 Given this is a bachelorette party, though, her activities are sure to be slightly more debauched — perhaps something fun with vaginal jade eggs? Amanda Arnold, The Cut, 11 Apr. 2018 This is middle ages debauchery, when people really knew how to debauch. Kelly Kazek, AL.com, 16 Mar. 2018 Prohibition failed because too few Americans agreed that all drinking was debauched. The Economist, 19 Dec. 2017 The ruling class became hoggishly self-indulgent: Mr Heffer lacerates Edward VII for his habit of sponging off his friends and debauching their wives. The Economist, 7 Oct. 2017 If memory serves, Sixx’s proudly debauched autobiography was pretty graphic all by itself. George Varga, sandiegouniontribune.com, 19 July 2017 Lofing, who is married, faced a misdemeanor charge of debauching a minor and on Monday was sentenced to 90 days in jail. Alex Thomas, ajc, 19 July 2017 Noun
But this year, the island is celebrating much more than Ernest Hemingway’s six-toed cats, Duval Street pub crawls or a Fantasy Fest debauch. Gwen Filosa, sun-sentinel.com, 22 Mar. 2022 After the fashion industry disgraced itself by banishing Melania Trump, this latest debauch comes as no surprise. Armond White, National Review, 10 Mar. 2021 Take a break from taking a break with a long debauch at the Chateau Marmont? Washington Post, 20 Oct. 2020 In stark contrast to Mr Sehic’s debauches, hundreds of starving Bosniaks, led by small numbers of armed men, raid surrounding Serb villages for food. The Economist, 3 Oct. 2019 Pain and Glory Rated R for language, recreational drug use and remembrance of debauches past. Manohla Dargis, New York Times, 3 Oct. 2019 Hot Springs was a wild town in those days—a spa for rich northerners, a debauch of illegal gambling, fancy nightclubs, and the Oaklawn racetrack. Joe Klein, Daily Intelligencer, 30 June 2017 See More Word History
Etymology
Verb and Noun
Middle French debaucher, from Old French desbauchier to scatter, disperse, from des- de- + bauch beam, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German balko beam — more at balk entry 2
First Known Use
Verb
1595, in the meaning defined at sense 2b
Noun
1603, in the meaning defined at sense 1
debauchers
noun
as in perverts
a person who has sunk below the normal moral standard in his youth the man had been a debaucher of the worst sort Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- perverts
- degenerates
- villains
- rakehells
- rakes
- deviates
- rips
- backsliders
- playboys
- libertines
- derelicts
- delinquents
- pervs
- decadents
- heels
- debauchees
- incorrigibles
- scoundrels
- blackguards
- reprobates
- profligates
- satyrs
- knaves
- cads
- rogues
- playgirls
- lechers
- bankrupts
- miscreants
- rascals
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- saints