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Deprave: meaning, definitions and examples

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deprave

 

[dɪˈpreɪv ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

immoral behavior

to make morally corrupt or wicked, to lead someone into immorality or evil

Synonyms

corrupt, debase, debauch, pervert.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
deprave

Used when referring to morally corrupting someone or making them wicked. This term has a strong negative connotation.

  • The violent video games were said to deprave the youth.
  • His association with the criminal gang would only deprave him further.
corrupt

Used to describe someone who has been morally compromised, typically in relation to positions of power or authority.

  • The senator was accused of corrupt practices.
  • Money and power often corrupt even the most honorable individuals.
pervert

It means to distort or corrupt the original course, meaning, or state of something or someone. The term often carries a highly negative connotation.

  • She accused him of trying to pervert the course of justice.
  • His interpretation of the holy texts was deemed to pervert their true meaning.
debase

Typically used to describe the act of reducing the quality or value of something or someone, often morally.

  • His vulgar jokes debased the otherwise elegant dinner party.
  • The politician debased himself by lying to the public.
debauch

Refers to excessive indulgence in sensual pleasures, often to a morally corrupt extent.

  • The rockstar's lifestyle was defined by debauch behavior.
  • He debauched himself with nights of heavy drinking and reckless partying.

Examples of usage

  • He was accused of depraving the youth with his radical ideas.
  • The dark environment of the city started to deprave her innocent soul.
Context #2 | Verb

corrupting influence

to cause moral deterioration in someone or something

Synonyms

contaminate, pollute, taint.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
deprave

This word is typically used to describe the moral corruption or degradation of a person or group. It carries a negative connotation and suggests a significant decline in morals or ethics.

  • The constant exposure to violence in the media can deprave young minds.
  • Power tends to deprave those who hold it for too long.
contaminate

Use this term when referring to the presence of harmful or unwanted substances in something, especially in environmental or scientific contexts.

  • Industrial waste can contaminate water supplies and pose serious health risks.
  • Be sure to avoid contaminating the sterile environment of the laboratory.
pollute

This word is often used to describe the act of making air, water, or soil dirty or harmful, usually due to human activities. It has a strong negative connotation related to environmental harm.

  • Factories that pollute the air should be strictly regulated.
  • Plastic waste continues to pollute the oceans, affecting marine life.
taint

This term is often used in a broader sense to indicate contamination or corruption, affecting the quality, validity, or reputation of something or someone. It usually has a subtle, but still negative, connotation.

  • The scandal tainted the politician’s career beyond repair.
  • Improper storage may taint the flavor of fine wine.

Examples of usage

  • The toxic environment in the workplace was depraving the employees.
  • The negative media coverage was depraving the public perception of the event.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The term comes from the Latin 'depravare' which means 'to distort or pervert'.
  • It is a combination of 'de-' (meaning 'down from') and 'pravus' (meaning 'crooked' or 'wicked').

Literature

  • In classic literature, characters who are 'depraved' often serve as warnings about moral corruption.
  • Famous authors like Edgar Allan Poe have explored themes of depravity, showcasing the darker side of humanity.

Psychology

  • Studies in psychology suggest that early life experiences can lead to depraved behavior in adulthood.
  • The concept is closely related to the study of moral development and its failures, often explored by theorists like Freud.

Film and Media

  • Films often depict 'depraved' characters as anti-heroes, illustrating society's fascination with the morally ambiguous.
  • Classic horror movies frequently feature 'depraved' villains, emphasizing their remorseless nature.

Pop Culture

  • The term 'deprave' is often used in song lyrics to describe feelings of loss, betrayal, and moral decay.
  • Modern media sometimes portrays depravity to critique societal norms, showing how easily one can fall from grace.

Translations

Translations of the word "deprave" in other languages:

🇵🇹 depravar

🇮🇳 भ्रष्ट करना (Bhrasht karna)

🇩🇪 verderben

🇮🇩 merusak

🇺🇦 розбещувати

🇵🇱 deprawować

🇯🇵 堕落させる (daraku saseru)

🇫🇷 dépraver

🇪🇸 depravar

🇹🇷 yozlaştırmak

🇰🇷 타락시키다 (tarak sikida)

🇸🇦 يفسد (yafsud)

🇨🇿 zvrhnout

🇸🇰 zvrhnúť

🇨🇳 堕落 (duòluò)

🇸🇮 pokvariti

🇮🇸 spilla

🇰🇿 азғындау (azğındau)

🇬🇪 გარყვნა (garqvna)

🇦🇿 pozmaq

🇲🇽 depravar

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #36,805, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.