Definition

Noun: 1. A strong, often excessive or unhealthy, interest in or desire for sexual pleasure; lewdness. This word describes a state of having or showing intense, uncontrolled, and often offensive sexual desire.

Usage

• Lasciviousness is a formal and strong noun, often carrying a negative moral judgment. It implies a lack of restraint or decency.
• It is typically used in literary, legal, or moralistic contexts to describe behavior, thoughts, or expressions that are considered indecent or overly focused on sexual gratification.

Examples

• The novel was banned in its time for its perceived lasciviousness.
• The prosecutor argued that the defendant's actions were driven by pure lasciviousness.
• His lasciviousness was evident in his inappropriate remarks and leering stares.

Advanced Usage

• "The lasciviousness of...": This structure is used to attribute the quality to a specific thing or person's actions.
  • The court condemned the lasciviousness of the material.
• It can be used abstractly to describe an atmosphere or quality.
  • A sense of lasciviousness hung over the decadent party.

Variants and Related Words

• Lascivious (adjective): Having or showing a strong and offensive sexual desire.
  • He was accused of making lascivious gestures.
• Lasciviously (adverb): In a lascivious manner.
  • He smiled lasciviously.

Synonyms

• Lewdness: Crude and offensive sexual behavior.
• Lust: Intense sexual desire (can be more neutral but often negative in similar contexts).
• Lechery: Excessive or offensive sexual desire.
• Prurience: An unhealthy or excessive interest in sexual matters.
• Salaciousness: The quality of being excessively interested in sexual matters, especially in a crude way.

Antonyms

• Chastity: The state of refraining from sexual activity.
• Modesty: Behavior, manner, or appearance intended to avoid impropriety or indecency.
• Decency: Behavior that conforms to accepted standards of morality.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• "To be filled with lasciviousness": A formal way to say someone is dominated by lustful thoughts.
  • The character in the story is filled with lasciviousness and greed.

Noun

1. feeling morbid sexual desire or a propensity to lewdness