Deprave

To corrupt morally; to make wicked or bad; to pervert. This action often involves a decline from a previous state of goodness or purity, leading to a degradation of character, behavior, or values.

Depraving influences can range from explicit acts of immorality to subtle societal pressures that erode ethical principles.

Deprave meaning with examples

• The novel detailed how the seductive allure of power and wealth gradually **depraved** the protagonist, transforming him from an idealistic young man into a ruthless tyrant who would stop at nothing to further his personal ambitions and greed.
• Exposure to violent video games was cited as potentially **depraving** the minds of young players, leading to desensitization toward aggression and increasing the likelihood of antisocial behaviors in their everyday interactions.
• The manipulative cult leader systematically **depraved** his followers, isolating them from their families, and controlling their minds through a blend of psychological pressure and misinformation that eroded their sanity.
• Certain historical policies were criticized for **depraving** entire communities, by destroying the very fabric of their cultures and destroying social structures, promoting instead societal breakdown and chaos.
• The artist feared that constantly working under the influence of cynicism and bitterness would ultimately Deprave his creative spirit, replacing genuine inspiration with hollow, shallow imitations of his former ideals.