Definition

1. Noun:
   • The state or quality of lacking moral or sexual restraint: "licentiousness" refers to behavior that disregards accepted rules or standards, particularly in sexual matters.
   • Dissolute indulgence in sensual pleasure: It describes excessive and uncontrolled pursuit of physical, especially sexual, gratification.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The novel was criticized for its depiction of licentiousness. (The novel was criticized for its portrayal of unrestrained and immoral behavior.)
  • The moral decay of the empire was marked by widespread licentiousness. (The empire's moral decline was characterized by pervasive indulgence in sensual pleasures.)

Advanced Usage

• "A life of licentiousness": a lifestyle characterized by a lack of moral restraint.

  • He abandoned his principles for a life of licentiousness. (He gave up his moral standards for a life of unrestrained indulgence.)

• "Moral licentiousness": can extend beyond sexual context to imply a general disregard for ethical principles.

  • The philosopher warned against the moral licentiousness that comes with absolute power. (The philosopher cautioned about the ethical recklessness that accompanies unchecked authority.)

Variants and Related Words

• Licentious (adj): characterized by a lack of moral or sexual restraint.

  • The ruler was known for his licentious behavior. (The ruler was famous for his morally unrestrained conduct.)

• Licentiously (adv): in a licentious manner.

  • He lived licentiously, without care for consequences. (He lived in a morally unrestrained way, without concern for the results.)

Synonyms

• Debauchery: excessive indulgence in sensual pleasures.
• Dissoluteness: a state of moral looseness or laxity.
• Lasciviousness: feeling or revealing an overt and often offensive sexual desire.
• Lewdness: obscene or indecent behavior.

Antonyms

• Restraint: self-control or moderation.
• Chastity: the state of refraining from sexual activity.
• Morality: principles concerning the distinction between right and wrong behavior.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• "To sink into licentiousness": to gradually adopt a lifestyle of moral abandon.

  • After inheriting the fortune, he sank into licentiousness. (After receiving the inheritance, he gradually adopted a life of unrestrained indulgence.)

• "The wages of licentiousness": the negative consequences resulting from immoral behavior (a variation on "the wages of sin").

  • His ruined health was the wages of licentiousness. (His poor health was the consequence of his immoral lifestyle.)

Noun

1. dissolute indulgence in sensual pleasure
2. the quality of being lewd and lascivious