gomorrah
Definition
Proper noun 1. An ancient city destroyed by divine judgment: In the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament), Gomorrah is one of the cities, along with Sodom, that was famously destroyed by God as a punishment for the extreme wickedness, sinfulness, and depravity of its people.
Usage
- Gomorrah is used almost exclusively in historical, religious, or literary contexts to refer to the biblical city and its story.
- It is often cited as a symbol or archetype of utter corruption and divine punishment.
- It is frequently paired with Sodom in the phrase "Sodom and Gomorrah."
Examples
Advanced Usage
- Metaphorical use: The name can be used metaphorically to describe any place or situation perceived as being deeply corrupt, immoral, or doomed.
- Critics described the crime-ridden district as a modern-day Gomorrah.
Variants and Related Words
- Sodom and Gomorrah: The standard paired phrase referring to the two cities and their collective story of sin and destruction.
- Gomorrhan (adjective, rare): Pertaining to Gomorrah (e.g., ).
Synonyms
- Den of iniquity
- Sink of corruption
Related Idioms and Phrases
- Like Sodom and Gomorrah: Used to emphasize a state of extreme sinfulness or corruption.
- The town was said to be wicked, like Sodom and Gomorrah.
Noun
-
(Old Testament) an ancient city near the Dead Sea that (along with Sodom) was destroyed by God for the vice and depravity of its inhabitants
