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

review-disable

review

flashcard-disable

flashcard

spelling-disable

spelling

quiz-disable

quiz

start-learning
Cambridge English: CPE (C2 Proficiency)
bestial [adjective]

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

Ex: The dictator ruled with bestial cruelty .
heinous [adjective]

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

Ex: The murderer was sentenced to life in prison for his heinous deeds .
nefarious [adjective]

extremely evil or wicked, typically involving illegal or immoral actions

Ex: The nefarious intentions of the cult leader were uncovered by authorities .
acrimony [noun]

words or feelings that are filled with anger or bitterness

Ex: Their divorce proceedings were filled with acrimony , with both parties hurling insults and accusations at each other .
deleterious [adjective]

inflicting damage or harm on someone or something

Ex: Smoking is known to have deleterious impacts on overall health .
flagrant [adjective]

so obviously wrong or immoral that it provokes shock

Ex: The company engaged in flagrant violations of environmental law .
ignominious [adjective]

making one feel ashamed because of being very bad or unacceptable

Ex: The scandal ended her career in ignominious fashion .
iniquity [noun]

actions that are profoundly immoral or wicked

Ex: The preacher spoke against the iniquity of greed .
lurid [adjective]

shocking or sensational, especially in a gruesome or vulgar way

Ex: The lurid affair between the married CEO and his secretary scandalized the company , resulting in a messy divorce and a tarnished corporate image due to blatant disregard for moral values .
odious [adjective]

extremely unpleasant and deserving strong hatred

Ex: She found his constant bragging odious .
pernicious [adjective]

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

Ex: The pernicious weed spread across the farmland , destroying crops .
culpable [adjective]

responsible for an act that is morally or legally wrong

Ex: The company was held culpable for environmental damage .
reprehensible [adjective]

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

Ex: Cheating on the exam was a reprehensible choice .

a disposition or behavior that is extremely immoral or wicked

Ex: The judge condemned the defendant 's turpitude in the court ruling .

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

Ex: The politician 's duplicity was exposed by leaked emails .
unconscionable [adjective]

excessively unreasonable or unfair and therefore unacceptable

Ex: His unconscionable behavior during the negotiation left everyone feeling insulted .
avarice [noun]

excessive desire for money and material goods

Ex: They criticized his avarice as the root of many societal problems .
covetous [adjective]

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

Ex: His covetous nature led him to constantly compare his life to others and feel dissatisfied .
perfidious [adjective]

relating to someone or something that is untrustworthy and disloyal

Ex: The perfidious actions of the spy jeopardized national security , revealing classified information to enemy forces .
salacious [adjective]

having or conveying inappropriate or indecent interest in sexual matters

Ex: The book was criticized for its salacious content , which some found offensive .
venal [adjective]

willing to act dishonestly for money or personal gain

Ex: The company collapsed under venal management .
grasping [adjective]

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

Ex:
hoggish [adjective]

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

Ex: She found his hoggish behavior at the buffet embarrassing .
wayward [adjective]

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

Ex: The captain struggled to control the wayward crew .
licentious [adjective]

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

Ex: The court condemned the licentious conduct of the nobles .
to covet [verb]

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

Ex: They covet the latest gadgets and always want to have the newest technology .
parsimonious [adjective]

spending money very reluctantly

Ex: Players complained the team owner was too parsimonious to pay for good free agents .

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

Ex: His life of debauchery left him broke and unhealthy .

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

Ex: Their marriage ended in dissolution fueled by infidelity and excess .
execrable [adjective]

arousing intense dislike or hatred

Ex: His execrable behavior alienated his friends .
decadent [adjective]

connected with a decline in moral standards

Ex: Decadent societies often mask decay with opulence and spectacle .
unsavory [adjective]

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

Ex: The novel delved into the unsavory aspects of human nature , exploring themes of betrayal and greed .

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

Ex: He was a buccaneer in the world of finance .

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

Ex: The libertine spent his nights in wild parties , seeking pleasure without restraint .

someone who behaves badly or immorally

Ex: Villagers complained about the miscreants in their neighborhood .

an individual who lacks morality and principle

Ex: The film ’s villain was portrayed as a reprobate , embodying the worst traits of moral corruption and selfishness .
brigand [noun]

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

Ex: The villagers lived in fear of roaming brigands .

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

Ex:

by any means that is necessary

Ex: The company was determined to increase profits by hook or by crook , even if it meant laying off some employees .
Cambridge English: CPE (C2 Proficiency)
Deceitful Qualities & Roles Deception & Corruption Moral Corruption & Wickedness Ailments & Injuries
Treatments & Remedies The Body & Its State Criticism & Censure Sadness, Regret & Apathy
Fear, Anxiety & Weakness Generosity, Kindness & Composure Skill & Wisdom Friendliness & Good Nature
Vigor & Fortitude Favorable States & Qualities Honesty & Integrity Nature & Environment
Declaration & Appeal Casual & Annoying Talk Linguistic Terms & Sayings Styles & Qualities of Speech
Religion & Morality Magic & The Supernatural Time & Duration History & Antiquity
Legal Matters Improvement Foolishness & Folly Hostility, Temper & Aggression
Arrogance & Haughtiness Obstinacy & Stubbornness Social Roles & Archetypes Professions & Roles
Politics & Social Structure Science Hostile Actions Low Quality & Worthlessness
Burdens & Afflictions Physical Conflict Termination & Renunciation Prohibition & Prevention
Weakening & Decline Confusion & Obscurity Connection & Joining Warfare
Abundance & Proliferation Arts & Literature Spoilage Strong Emotional States
Color, Light & Visual Patterns Form, Texture & Structure Suitability & Appropriateness Approval & Agreement
Additions & Attachments Animals & Biology Finance & Valuables Tools & Equipment
Cognition & Understanding Caution, Judgment & Awareness Sound & Noise Movement
Physical Descriptions Landforms Objects & Materials Ceremonies & Revelry
Creation & Causation Argument & Disparagement Agriculture & Food Unconventional States
Family & Marriage Dwelling & Inhabiting Scent & Flavor Conceptual Extremes
Similarity & Difference