dissolute

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dissolute" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is morally lax or indulges in excessive pleasures, particularly in relation to drinking or sexual behavior. Example: "The dissolute lifestyle of the artist was often the subject of scandal in the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Either way, the French Connection grew ever more powerful and finally the stuff of myth and movies (the best of which is French Connection II, where Gene Hackman plays a dissolute New York cop at war with the Marseille gangsters).

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Bale plays a fictional dissolute mortician who must act like a priest to defend a Catholic church in which both a group of convent girls and a group of prostitutes shelter from the horrors outside.

The Guardian - Film

He is eager to believe Bahari's sexual life is impossibly dissolute, insisting that "Europe is a stable full of animals and whores".

The Guardian

McCain me harder?Meanwhile, Al Gore's daughter Kristin has just released a novel about life in the White House with a noble vice-president, a dissolute president and a ghastly first lady whose "paranoia was legendary".

The Economist

Hunter S. Thompson, himself a famously dissolute journalist, lamented that the young "lie around on waterbeds and smoke that goddamn marrywanna" instead of casting ballots.In this section If the Republicans win the Senate.

The Economist

As flower children were celebrating the "Summer of Love" in San Francisco, Oral Roberts, a fundamentalist preacher, was founding a university in Oklahoma to fight their dissolute ideas.To Mr Lindsey, the two movements offered conflicting half-truths.

The Economist

The drifter, who calls himself George Briggs, is a dissolute, selfish, but redoubtable old gunfighter, whereas Cuddy is scrupulously neat and pious, with an undercurrent of yearning vulnerability.

The Economist

The Democrats need to avoid being typecast as latter-day, dissolute hippies; the Republicans must beware of being seen as reactionary bigots.

The Economist

The third big thing that may be happening this time around is that voters are inching towards the opposite conclusion about Mr Cameron.Mr Cameron's strength is that despite his privileged background (and rumours of a dissolute youth) he brims with empathy, as Tony Blair did long ago.

The Economist

More progressive Baluch nationalist groups, furiously opposed to the feudal system that enriched Mr Bugti and his dissolute relatives, gave tacit support to his campaign.

The Economist

Mr Estrada's own dissolute lifestyle has offended many.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "dissolute", ensure the context clearly indicates a lack of moral restraint and/or indulgence in pleasure. Avoid using it casually or without a clear connection to these themes.

Common error

Avoid using "dissolute" when simply describing someone who is carefree or unconventional. The term carries a strong negative connotation of moral corruption and excessive indulgence, so use it only when that meaning is intended.

Linguistic Context

Dissolute functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe a state of moral decay, unrestrained behavior, and indulgence in sensual pleasures. Ludwig examples show it describing people in positions of power or influence behaving without any moral restraint.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Encyclopedias

35%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adjective "dissolute" describes someone unrestrained by morality and recklessly abandoned to sensual pleasures. Ludwig AI confirms that "dissolute" is grammatically correct. With a high frequency of usage across News & Media and Encyclopedias, the term is best suited for formal contexts where the intention is to critically assess immoral or reckless behavior. Related terms include "debauched", "immoral", and "profligate", offering nuanced alternatives. When using "dissolute", ensure that the context aligns with its strong negative connotation to avoid misinterpretation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

debauched

Focuses on the corruption of morals, often through excessive indulgence in sensual pleasures.

immoral

Indicates a violation of moral principles or standards.

profligate

Emphasizes reckless extravagance and wastefulness, particularly in spending.

licentious

Highlights disregard for accepted rules, especially in sexual behavior.

degraded

Stresses a loss of dignity and moral standing.

corrupt

Suggests moral decay and dishonesty.

unprincipled

Indicates a lack of guiding moral principles.

hedonistic

Focuses on the pursuit of pleasure as the primary goal.

abandoned to vice

Emphasizes the surrender to immoral or wicked behavior.

without restraint

Highlights the lack of self-control or moderation.

FAQs

How is "dissolute" used in a sentence?

The word "dissolute" is used to describe someone whose behavior is morally corrupt or recklessly self-indulgent. For example: "The "dissolute president" was known for his extravagant parties and questionable decisions."

What words are similar to "dissolute"?

Alternatives to "dissolute" include "debauched", "profligate", or "licentious", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How formal is the word "dissolute"?

The word "dissolute" is relatively formal and carries a strong negative connotation. It is best suited for contexts where you want to emphasize moral corruption or reckless self-indulgence, and should be avoided in casual conversation.

Is it appropriate to describe a group as "dissolute"?

Yes, "dissolute" can describe a group of people, such as a "dissolute society" or a "dissolute gang", if they collectively exhibit morally corrupt or recklessly self-indulgent behavior.