licentiousness

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'licentiousness' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to excessive indulgence in physical desires or pleasures, especially sexual ones. Example sentence: "Martha was shocked by the licentiousness of the festival's revelers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A poll in April found that 43% of Russians considered homosexuality to be "licentiousness, a bad habit" and 35% said it was an "illness or the result of psychological trauma".

The Guardian

Or was that Groucho Marx?" She goes on to explain that Rome is entirely different now - no togas, no orgies, no licentiousness.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The licentiousness of Louis XV, followed by the widely rumoured, though almost certainly fictitious, bisexual promiscuity of Marie Antoinette, brought the throne into disrepute.Worse, the queen represented the shift to a pro-Austrian foreign policy which was widely perceived as having brought France only military and diplomatic humiliation.

The Economist

It may be the land of the Kama Sutra, the land whose temples depict a licentiousness seldom shown in public elsewhere.

The Economist

At Sehwan, which has a name for licentiousness, a transsexual prostitute or hijra called Ghazala says she came from Lahore, with 15 of her eunuch sisters, to pray and dance.

The Economist

The scandal prompted days of mass protests, and the torching of the home of the accused brothel-keeper.In this section Taliban all over Battered begums Lock up your daughters A half-built nation Wilting tulips Return to sender Reprints Related items Kashmir: Time to goApr 4th 2007Leading the campaign against licentiousness, Dukhtaran helped found a Forum Against Social Evils.

The Economist

As a consequence, its fabric has perpetually been under strain, hard put to cope with the disorder and licentiousness endemic as new populations impose themselves on institutions created by the old.From time to time the melting pot boils over.

The Economist

This is the visual telling of a tale of beauty and bloodshed, lucre and licentiousness, morality, hypocrisy and propitiation.The telling is not all the work of the Quattrocento.

The Economist

She missed her native tongue's licentiousness:...the clitoris in my throat vibrating, sensitive, pulsating, exploding in the orgasm of Romanian.Like her great émigré counterparts, the Russian Joseph Brodsky and the Pole Czeslaw Milosz, she eventually began to write in English, adding poignant notes of exile to her themes of honesty, humour and eroticism.

The Economist

According to legend, he inclined to licentiousness and extravagance, but the evidence is inconclusive.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Although he attended school, the peasant Grigory Yefimovich Novykh remained illiterate, and his reputation for licentiousness earned him the surname Rasputin, Russian for "debauched one".

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "licentiousness" when you want to specifically highlight excessive indulgence in sensual pleasures or immoral behavior, particularly in a way that violates social or ethical norms.

Common error

Avoid using "licentiousness" when simply referring to freedom of expression or behavior that doesn't necessarily involve moral transgression. Using "freedom" or "liberty" might be more appropriate in those cases.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "licentiousness" is as a noun. It refers to the state or quality of being licentious, as highlighted in Ludwig's examples from diverse sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Encyclopedias

43%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "licentiousness" is a noun used to describe excessive indulgence, particularly in sensual or sexual pleasures, often with a disregard for moral principles. As Ludwig AI indicates, the term is grammatically correct and widely used. It is most frequently encountered in News & Media and Encyclopedia sources, suggesting a neutral to formal register. When writing, use "licentiousness" to specifically critique immoral or overly indulgent behavior and ensure it fits the context. If you are looking for alternative terms, consider "debauchery" or "promiscuity". Be mindful not to confuse it with simple freedom or liberty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

debauchery

Similar in meaning but emphasizes excessive indulgence in sensual pleasures.

promiscuity

Focuses specifically on indiscriminate sexual relationships.

immorality

A broader term encompassing any behavior that violates moral principles.

wantonness

Implies recklessness and lack of restraint, often in a sexual context.

profligacy

Suggests extravagance and dissipation, particularly in moral or sexual behavior.

dissoluteness

Highlights the breakdown of moral restraints and principles.

lasciviousness

Emphasizes lewdness and a strong sexual desire.

lewdness

Refers to overtly sexual behavior or expression considered offensive.

libertinism

Suggests a disregard for moral constraints and a pursuit of pleasure.

debauchment

Indicates corruption or degradation, especially through indulgence in sensual pleasures.

FAQs

What does "licentiousness" mean?

"Licentiousness" refers to excessive indulgence in sensual pleasures, especially of a sexual nature, often implying a disregard for moral principles and societal norms.

How can I use "licentiousness" in a sentence?

You can use "licentiousness" to describe a person's behavior, a societal trend, or the atmosphere of a particular place. For example: "The emperor's reign was marked by widespread "licentiousness"."

What are some synonyms for "licentiousness"?

Synonyms for "licentiousness" include "debauchery", "promiscuity", "wantonness", and "immorality".

Is "licentiousness" a formal or informal term?

"Licentiousness" is a relatively formal term, often used in academic, journalistic, or literary contexts. More informal synonyms may be more appropriate for casual conversation.