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Cambridge English: CPE (C2 Proficiency) - Moral Corruption & Wickedness

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Cambridge English: CPE (C2 Proficiency)
bestial
[Adjective]

behaving in a savage, animal-like, or inhumane manner

Ex: Witnesses described the attack as bestial and merciless .
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heinous
[Adjective]

extremely evil or shockingly wicked in a way that deeply disturbs or offends

Ex: His heinous betrayal of his closest friend left a lasting scar on their relationship .
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nefarious
[Adjective]

extremely evil or wicked, typically involving illegal or immoral actions

Ex: The villain 's nefarious deeds were finally exposed .
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acrimony
[noun]

words or feelings that are filled with anger or bitterness

Ex: Their divorce was marked by deep acrimony, filled with spiteful accusations .
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deleterious
[Adjective]

inflicting damage or harm on someone or something

Ex: The chemicals were found to have deleterious effects on soil fertility .
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flagrant
[Adjective]

so obviously wrong or immoral that it provokes shock

Ex: The politician's flagrant lies were exposed by the media.
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ignominious
[Adjective]

making one feel ashamed because of being very bad or unacceptable

Ex: The company 's ignominious handling of the product launch , with multiple defects and delays , led to a sharp decline in customer trust .
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iniquity
[noun]

actions that are profoundly immoral or wicked

Ex: Many turned a blind eye to the iniquity that was happening in the shadows of society .
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lurid
[Adjective]

shocking or sensational, especially in a gruesome or vulgar way

Ex: The lurid gossip surrounding the celebrity 's drug addiction and erratic behavior painted a troubling picture of the pressures of fame and fortune .
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odious
[Adjective]

extremely unpleasant and deserving strong hatred

Ex: The politician 's odious remarks about certain ethnic groups sparked outrage and condemnation .
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pernicious
[Adjective]

causing great harm or damage, often in a gradual or unnoticed way

Ex: Poverty has a pernicious impact on education and health .
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culpable
[Adjective]

responsible for an act that is morally or legally wrong

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reprehensible
[Adjective]

deserving strong criticism or punishment because it is morally wrong or unacceptable

Ex: Animal cruelty is one of the most reprehensible crimes .
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turpitude
[noun]

a disposition or behavior that is extremely immoral or wicked

Ex: The leader ’s turpitude led to his downfall and loss of public trust .
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duplicity
[noun]

the practice of pretending to feel or act one way while actually pursuing another

Ex: She accused him of duplicity in the negotiations .
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unconscionable
[Adjective]

excessively unreasonable or unfair and therefore unacceptable

Ex: It was unconscionable for them to deny medical care to someone in urgent need .
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avarice
[noun]

excessive desire for money and material goods

Ex: Their avarice caused them to make unethical decisions for financial gain .
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covetous
[Adjective]

having an intense desire or craving for something, especially something that belongs to someone else

Ex: She tried to ignore her covetous feelings when she saw the beautiful house for sale down the street .
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perfidious
[Adjective]

relating to someone or something that is untrustworthy and disloyal

Ex: The novel depicted a perfidious character who deceived everyone around him .
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salacious
[Adjective]

having or conveying inappropriate or indecent interest in sexual matters

Ex: The film 's salacious scenes were deemed too explicit for a general audience .
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venal
[Adjective]

willing to act dishonestly for money or personal gain

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grasping
[Adjective]

having an excessive and selfish desire to gain, especially money or possessions

Ex: The grasping businessman would do anything for profit.
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hoggish
[Adjective]

acting in a way that is greedy, selfish, or gluttonous, similar to the behavior of a pig

Ex: The children grabbed the toys in a hoggish manner .
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wayward
[Adjective]

unwilling to follow rules or accept control, often behaving unpredictably or stubbornly

Ex: The program helps reform wayward teenagers .
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licentious
[Adjective]

showing a disregard for moral rules or standards, especially in sexual behavior

Ex: The film depicted the licentious excesses of the era .
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to covet
[Verb]

to have an intense and often inappropriate desire to possess something that belongs to someone else

Ex: We should focus on appreciating what we have rather than coveting what others possess .
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parsimonious
[Adjective]

spending money very reluctantly

Ex: He will become more parsimonious if he loses his job and needs to cut expenses .
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wild and immoral behavior that involves heavy drinking, sexual activity, or other extreme pleasures

Ex: Rumors of debauchery damaged the celebrity 's reputation .
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a way of living marked by overindulgence in physical pleasures, often leading to moral decline

Ex: The era became known for its political corruption and social dissolution.
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execrable
[Adjective]

arousing intense dislike or hatred

Ex: Folk tradition taught those spreading execrable falsehoods could face damages like erosion of credibility or isolation .
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decadent
[Adjective]

connected with a decline in moral standards

Ex: Many saw the art movement as bold , others called it decadent and meaningless .
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unsavory
[Adjective]

related to actions, behaviors, or characteristics that are morally questionable or unpleasant

Ex: The restaurant had to close down due to health violations and unsavory practices in the kitchen .
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buccaneer
[noun]

a successful person, usually in business, who may employ dishonest or immoral techniques in order to succeed

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libertine
[noun]

an individual who is not concerned with morality and overindulges in pleasure, particularly sexual pleasure

Ex: His reputation as a libertine made him infamous in high society .
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miscreant
[noun]

someone who behaves badly or immorally

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reprobate
[noun]

an individual who lacks morality and principle

Ex: The reprobate was the subject of gossip and disdain , viewed by many as a symbol of moral decay .
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brigand
[noun]

an outlaw, typically operating in a group and using violence or stealth to steal

Ex: Some brigands pretend to be merchants , only to ambush and rob unsuspecting travelers .
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to return to worse behavior, habits, or moral standards after having improved

Ex: The community leader urged people not to backslide into violence .
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by any means that is necessary

Ex: We're going to get this done by hook or by crook, whether it's easy or not.
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Cambridge English: CPE (C2 Proficiency)
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