dissolute
adjective
dis·so·lute
ˈdi-sə-ˌlüt 
-lət
: lacking restraint
especially
: marked by indulgence in things (such as drink or promiscuous sex) deemed vices (see vice entry 1 sense 1)
leading a dissolute lifestyle
the dissolute and degrading aspects of human nature —
Wallace Fowlie
Wallace Fowlie
dissolutely
adverb
dissoluteness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of dissolute in a Sentence
literature dealing with the dissolute and degrading aspects of human experience
Recent Examples on the Web
But as evidence of the miscarriage of justice gradually came to light — including the identity of the actual traitor, a dissolute nobleman named Ferdinand Walsin-Esterhazy — more people joined Dreyfus’ cause.
—Maurice Samuels / Made By History, TIME, 21 May 2024
So when, in 680, Muawiya, the first caliph since Ali, died and the caliphate passed to his dissolute son, Yazid, the Shiat Ali implored Hussein to take his rightful place at the head of Islam.
—Aatish Taseer, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2023
Enter an unlikely duo, called in by their governments to investigate: Adam, a gruff American super-soldier, and Rao, a dissolute former British intelligence officer with a talent for detecting falsehoods — unless Adam is telling them.
—Sophia Nguyen, Washington Post, 10 Aug. 2023
Players believed that Senet revealed what obstacles lay ahead, warned dissolute souls of their fiery fates, and offered reassurance of the deceased’s eventual escape from the underworld, as represented by successfully moving one’s pieces off the board.
—Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Feb. 2020
Banks’ wintry, autobiographical sixth novel turns on the lifelong conflict between a dissolute New Hampshire police officer and his son.
—Mark Athitakis, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2023
Probability first entered the teachings of men through the work of that dissolute gambler Pascal, who was willing to make a bet on his salvation.
—Sean Carroll, Discover Magazine, 16 Nov. 2011
Russian propagandists are doing exactly that, right now, etching a picture of a virtuous, beleaguered country defending itself against meddlesome and dissolute international adversaries.
—Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 14 Dec. 2022
West is cut from the finest of rakish Duke cloths, a dissolute drunk, gambler, and brawler, until the love of a good woman brings him to his knees.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 17 Nov. 2022
Maurice Samuels / Made By History, TIME, 21 May 2024
So when, in 680, Muawiya, the first caliph since Ali, died and the caliphate passed to his dissolute son, Yazid, the Shiat Ali implored Hussein to take his rightful place at the head of Islam.
—Aatish Taseer, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2023
Enter an unlikely duo, called in by their governments to investigate: Adam, a gruff American super-soldier, and Rao, a dissolute former British intelligence officer with a talent for detecting falsehoods — unless Adam is telling them.
—Sophia Nguyen, Washington Post, 10 Aug. 2023
Players believed that Senet revealed what obstacles lay ahead, warned dissolute souls of their fiery fates, and offered reassurance of the deceased’s eventual escape from the underworld, as represented by successfully moving one’s pieces off the board.
—Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Feb. 2020
Banks’ wintry, autobiographical sixth novel turns on the lifelong conflict between a dissolute New Hampshire police officer and his son.
—Mark Athitakis, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2023
Probability first entered the teachings of men through the work of that dissolute gambler Pascal, who was willing to make a bet on his salvation.
—Sean Carroll, Discover Magazine, 16 Nov. 2011
Russian propagandists are doing exactly that, right now, etching a picture of a virtuous, beleaguered country defending itself against meddlesome and dissolute international adversaries.
—Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 14 Dec. 2022
West is cut from the finest of rakish Duke cloths, a dissolute drunk, gambler, and brawler, until the love of a good woman brings him to his knees.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 17 Nov. 2022
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dissolute.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near dissolute
Cite this Entry
“Dissolute.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dissolute. Accessed 28 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
dissolute
adjective
dis·so·lute
ˈdis-ə-ˌlüt
: having or showing bad morals or behavior
dissolutely
adverb
dissoluteness
noun
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