Definition

1. Noun:
   • Inherent baseness or depravity of character; wickedness: "Turpitude" refers to a state of being morally corrupt, evil, or degenerate.
   • A base, vile, or shameful act: "Turpitude" can also refer to a specific act that demonstrates such moral corruption.

Usage

"Turpitude" is a formal, literary, and often legal term. It is most commonly used in the fixed phrase "moral turpitude" to describe conduct that is considered gravely contrary to community standards of justice, honesty, or good morals. It implies a profound level of moral failure.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The judge ruled that fraud was an act of moral turpitude.
  • The novel explores the depths of human turpitude.
  • His crimes were marked by a turpitude that shocked the nation.

Advanced Usage

• "Moral turpitude": This is a standard legal and ethical phrase used in contracts, immigration law, and professional codes of conduct to describe behavior so vile that it disqualifies a person from certain privileges or positions.
  • The lawyer was disbarred for acts involving moral turpitude.
  • A conviction for a crime of moral turpitude can affect one's immigration status.

Variants and Related Words

• Turpitudinous (adj): Characterized by turpitude; vile. (This is a rare, derived adjective).
  • His turpitudinous behavior was condemned by all.

Synonyms

• Depravity: Moral corruption; wickedness.
• Wickedness: The quality of being evil or morally wrong.
• Baseness: Lack of moral principles; bad character.
• Degeneracy: The state of having low moral standards.
• Villainy: Wicked or criminal behavior.

Antonyms

• Virtue: Behavior showing high moral standards.
• Integrity: The quality of being honest and having strong moral principles.
• Rectitude: Morally correct behavior or thinking; righteousness.
• Goodness: The quality of being morally good or virtuous.

Notes

Unlike more common words for bad behavior (e.g., "misconduct"), "turpitude" carries a strong connotation of inherent, profound evil and a violation of fundamental ethical principles. It is rarely used to describe minor faults.

Noun

1. a corrupt or depraved or degenerate act or practice
   • the various turpitudes of modern society