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

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

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

Ex: The criminal's actions were bestial, showing no remorse. 
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heinous
heinous
[Adjective]

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

Ex: The heinous crime shook the entire community to its core. 
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nefarious
nefarious
[Adjective]

extremely evil or wicked, typically involving illegal or immoral actions

Ex: The nefarious plot of the antagonist aimed to overthrow the government. 
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acrimony
acrimony
[noun]

words or feelings that are filled with anger or bitterness

Ex: Despite once being close friends, their falling out resulted in years of acrimony and resentment. 
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deleterious
deleterious
[Adjective]

inflicting damage or harm on someone or something

Ex: Smoking cigarettes has been proven to have deleterious effects on one's health. 
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flagrant
flagrant
[Adjective]

so obviously wrong or immoral that it provokes shock

Ex: The referee ignored a flagrant foul during the match. 
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ignominious
ignominious
[Adjective]

making one feel ashamed because of being very bad or unacceptable

Ex: The general suffered an ignominious defeat. 
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iniquity
iniquity
[noun]

actions that are profoundly immoral or wicked

Ex: The novel exposes the iniquity of corrupt officials. 
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lurid
lurid
[Adjective]

shocking or sensational, especially in a gruesome or vulgar way

Ex: The lurid revelations of sexual misconduct by a prominent politician led to widespread outrage and calls for resignation, highlighting a profound breach of ethical conduct. 
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odious
odious
[Adjective]

extremely unpleasant and deserving strong hatred

Ex: The dictator's policies were widely regarded as odious. 
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pernicious
pernicious
[Adjective]

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

Ex: The pernicious effects of smoking may take years to appear. 
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culpable
culpable
[Adjective]

responsible for an act that is morally or legally wrong

Ex: The driver was found culpable for the accident. 
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reprehensible
reprehensible
[Adjective]

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

Ex: Lying under oath is a reprehensible act. 
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turpitude
turpitude
[noun]

a disposition or behavior that is extremely immoral or wicked

Ex: The scandal revealed the turpitude of the politician's actions. 
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duplicity
duplicity
[noun]

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

Ex: The spy was skilled in duplicity. 
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unconscionable
unconscionable
[Adjective]

excessively unreasonable or unfair and therefore unacceptable

Ex: The company’s treatment of its workers was deemed unconscionable by labor rights activists. 
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avarice
avarice
[noun]

excessive desire for money and material goods

Ex: His avarice drove him to exploit his workers for more profit. 
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covetous
covetous
[Adjective]

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

Ex: He was covetous of his colleague's promotion and hoped to one day reach the same position. 
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perfidious
perfidious
[Adjective]

relating to someone or something that is untrustworthy and disloyal

Ex: The perfidious diplomat pretended friendship while secretly plotting against the alliance. 
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salacious
salacious
[Adjective]

having or conveying inappropriate or indecent interest in sexual matters

Ex: The tabloid was filled with salacious details about the celebrity’s private life. 
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venal
venal
[Adjective]

willing to act dishonestly for money or personal gain

Ex: The venal official accepted bribes from contractors. 
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grasping
grasping
[Adjective]

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

Ex: The grasping landlord kept raising the rent without making repairs. 
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hoggish
hoggish
[Adjective]

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

Ex: His hoggish eating habits disgusted everyone at the table. 
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wayward
wayward
[Adjective]

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

Ex: The wayward student refused to listen to the teacher's instructions. 
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licentious
licentious
[Adjective]

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

Ex: The novel was banned for its licentious content. 
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to covet
to covet
[Verb]

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

Ex: She covets her neighbor's luxurious car and dreams of owning one. 
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parsimonious
parsimonious
[Adjective]

spending money very reluctantly

Ex: Critics argued the government had grown too parsimonious in funding for education and social programs. 
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debauchery

wild and immoral behavior that involves heavy drinking, sexual activity, or other extreme pleasures

Ex: The novel describes a night of debauchery at the royal palace. 
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dissolution

a way of living marked by overindulgence in physical pleasures, often leading to moral decline

Ex: His years of dissolution left him lonely and in poor health. 
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execrable
execrable
[Adjective]

arousing intense dislike or hatred

Ex: The tyrant's execrable crimes shocked the world. 
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decadent
decadent
[Adjective]

connected with a decline in moral standards

Ex: The novel portrays a decadent society obsessed with wealth and pleasure. 
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unsavory
unsavory
[Adjective]

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

Ex: The company's unsavory marketing tactics included misleading advertisements. 
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buccaneer
buccaneer
[noun]

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

Ex: The tycoon was labeled a corporate buccaneer. 
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libertine
libertine
[noun]

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

Ex: The novel’s main character was a notorious libertine, living a life of excess and indulgence. 
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miscreant
miscreant
[noun]

someone who behaves badly or immorally

Ex: The police arrested the miscreant responsible for the theft. 
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reprobate
reprobate
[noun]

an individual who lacks morality and principle

Ex: That reprobate lied to everyone and stole their money. 
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brigand
brigand
[noun]

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

Ex: The forest was infested with brigands preying on travelers. 
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to backslide

to return to worse behavior, habits, or moral standards after having improved

Ex: After months of sobriety, he began to backslide into drinking again. 
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by hook or by crook

by any means that is necessary

Ex: He was determined to get the money by hook or by crook. 
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