turpitude

noun

ˈtər-pə-ˌtüd How to pronounce turpitude (audio)
Definition of turpitudenext
as in degradation
a sinking to a state of low moral standards and behavior pictorial advertisements for chic clothing and fragrances in which drug addiction and other forms of moral turpitude are depicted as alternative fashion statements

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of turpitude Zvyagintsev has never cast himself as a dissident; his dense stories of corrupt authority and moral turpitude could arguably be told anywhere. — Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 19 May 2026 The Fed Chair and Fed Governors could be removed before the end of their term only for cause, which is generally taken to mean moral turpitude rather than differences in opinion with the administration over how the Fed meets its mission. — Raghuram Rajan, Time, 23 Jan. 2026 Some 500 years later — in between which came the turpitude and disruption of the transatlantic slave trade and colonialism — African countries are seeking to once again prioritize building trade between themselves, seeing it as essential to boosting their collective role in the global economy. — Yinka Adegoke, semafor.com, 23 Jan. 2026 Mueller’s chronicle of prevarication, moral turpitude, and incompetence is dispiriting, but his presentation of rigorous legal reasoning and strict adherence to statutes, case law, and procedural rules is inspiring. — Stephen Kotkin, Foreign Affairs, 21 May 2019 See All Example Sentences for turpitude
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turpitude
  1. degradation
  2. corruption
Noun
  • In the small-cap space, Piper Sandler's Tenthoff likes Monte Rosa Therapeutics, a pioneer in protein degradation that selectively destroys disease-causing proteins.
    — Paulina Likos, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The degradation of Starshield is estimated to have cost Ukraine tens of millions of dollars in losses, according to an analysis by Dimko Zhluktenko, a drone pilot and analyst in the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
    — Jennifer Jacobs, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of degradation
Noun
  • Room for Disagreement Kenyan critics of the AFCON infrastructure developments have argued that the projects have been an avenue for corruption and risk escalating Kenya’s $98 billion debt burden.
    — Martin K.N Siele, semafor.com, 30 Oct. 2026
  • The students also demanded changes in the judiciary and urgent investigations in top-level corruption cases that might have been sidelined due to political pressure under Vucic.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of corruption

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turophiles
turpitude
tush
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Cite this Entry

“Turpitude.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turpitude. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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