debauchery

[ dih-baw-chuh-ree ]

noun

, plural de·bauch·er·ies.

1. excessive indulgence in sensual pleasures; intemperance.
2. Archaic. seduction from duty, allegiance, or virtue.

Word History and Origins

Origin of debauchery¹

First recorded in 1635–45; debauch + -ery

Example Sentences

In my mind, I was traveling through the hot, dry landscape of Nevada and headed toward the mecca of debauchery and decadence: Las Vegas.

From Salon

Hip-hop music generated money and power — and a social scene filled with bottomless excess and debauchery.

From Los Angeles Times

Some students were saved from debauchery when school officials colored in a pair of pants on the goblin.

From Seattle Times

There are sex workers across the country who could tell you of his debauchery.

From Salon

The charges, detailed in a scathing 56-page indictment, chronicled his years of drug abuse, debauchery, wild spending and flouting of federal tax laws.

From New York Times

Related Words

• revelry
• seduction

About This Word

What does debauchery mean?

Debauchery is behavior considered excessively decadent, indulgent, and depraved. It’s especially used to collectively refer to drug use, excessive drinking, promiscuous sex, and the kind of uninhibited activity that happens at wild parties.

Debauchery has traditionally been used in a negative way by those who condemn it as immoral or sinful. But it is also used in a somewhat ironic way by those who engage in such activity to celebrate it or make it seem fun.

Example: Hair metal bands in the ’80s were notorious for their backstage debauchery.

Where does debauchery come from?

The first records of the word debauchery come from the 1600s. It derives from the French verb débaucher, meaning “to tempt away from duty.” Debauchery is the noun form of the verb debauch, meaning “to corrupt,” “to pervert,” or “to engage in debauchery.” The suffix -ery is used to form nouns indicating collective actions or qualities, as in trickery.

From its earliest usage, debauchery has been used to refer to behavior considered immoral. Today, it often refers to extreme sensual indulgence—the sex and drugs part of sex, drugs, and rock-‘n’-roll. Debauchery can occur at a single wild party, but a lifestyle of endless partying can also be described as debauchery.

In some places, the word is used in a more formal way in so-called debauchery laws that prohibit behavior considered immoral. Such laws are often nonspecific and may sometimes be used to oppress people in the LGBTQ community, among others.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to debauchery?

• debauch (verb)
• debaucherous (adjective)
• debaucherously (adverb)
• debauchee (noun)
• debauched (adjective)

What are some synonyms for debauchery? 

• revelry

What are some words that often get used in discussing debauchery?

• depravity
• indulgent
• sensual
• alcohol
• drugs
• sex
• immoral
• sinful
• intemperance 
• carousal

How is debauchery used in real life?

Debauchery typically refers to excessive, over-the-top partying and the kind of wild activity that goes with it. It is often used negatively to criticize such activity, but it can also be used in an ironic way that celebrates it.

(702): This hangover is what we deserve after that level of debauchery.

— TextsFromLastNight (@TFLN) July 17, 2015

And what a night it was… I can't talk about all of the things I saw back stage… suffice it to say that there was some extreme debauchery.

— Māgor (@csmagor) March 14, 2020

#Egypt social media influencer Haneen Hussam accused of 'debauchery' after viral #TikTok video https://t.co/PpSwVe6XDY

— Middle East Monitor (@MiddleEastMnt) April 22, 2020

 

 

Try using debauchery!

Is debauchery used correctly in the following sentence? 

You wouldn’t believe the level of debauchery that used to go down at those frat parties.