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depravity

Noun

IPA /dɪˈprævəti/

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Meaning in plain English

A state of extreme moral corruption or deeply cruel and wicked behaviour.

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Pronunciation

depravity/dɪˈprævəti/

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A fictional villain seems charming
Their actions reveal extreme cruelty

Depravity describes serious moral corruption hidden beneath or shown through behaviour.

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The detective novel reveals the depravity behind the villain's charming appearance.
The literature class examined how the author represented human depravity.

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The detective novel reveals the ________ behind the villain's charming appearance.

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depravity — A state of extreme moral corruption or deeply cruel and wicked behaviour.

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A state of extreme moral corruption or deeply cruel and wicked behaviour.

Compare: The detective novel reveals the depravity behind the villain's charming appearance.

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Word origin

An alteration of the older word pravity, from Latin pravitas, associated with crookedness or perversity.

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Depravity usually describes a state or quality, although depravities can refer to particular immoral acts.

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