debauch

What does “debauch” mean?

verb.to destroy or debase the moral purity of; to corrupt.

SAT Usage

the term is often used in contexts related to moral decline, hedonism, or societal decay, emphasizing the deliberate act of leading someone away from virtue or ethical standards. It suggests a more profound and intentional corruption than similar words like "dissipate," which may imply a loss of restraint without the same moral connotation.

Common Confusions

Debauch implies a deliberate corruption of moral integrity, while dissipate usually suggests a gradual loss of restraint without the same ethical implications.

Example Sentences

• Years of excess had begun to debauch his health and judgment.

• They feared the gang would debauch the teenagers with easy money.

Word Parts: How to Remember “debauch”

Break “debauch” into its parts: de- (down, away, un-). Knowing roots like these helps you decode unfamiliar SAT vocabulary.

• Prefix: de- down, away, un- (Latin)