licentiousness
/lai'senʃəsnis/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- 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
- dissolute indulgence in sensual pleasure
- the quality of being lewd and lascivious