Decadente

The Italian adjective 'decadente' describes something in a state of decline, decay, or deterioration, often suggesting a loss of former glory, vitality, or moral standards. It can apply to societies, artistic styles, individuals, or objects. The term implies a sense of decline stemming from over-refinement, luxury, or a departure from traditional values. It often carries a connotation of superficiality, self-indulgence, and a pessimistic outlook. The degree of the decline can vary, from a subtle weakening to a dramatic collapse. Decadence can manifest in various forms, including moral corruption, artistic experimentation, and a general sense of weariness or ennui. This term is especially used in contexts reflecting a decline or decay within art, literature, or societal norms.

Decadente meaning with examples

• The once-grand palazzo, with its peeling paint and crumbling frescoes, was a decadente testament to a bygone era. Its splendor faded with time, representing the family's decline. The opulent parties and extravagance now only existed in dusty memoirs. The decadente state of the palazzo mirrored the family's waning fortune, visible for all to see on its exterior.
• Critics argued that the late 19th-century artistic movement displayed decadente tendencies, marked by a preoccupation with morbid themes and excessive ornamentation. This aesthetic, characterized by elaborate embellishments and expressions of a longing for escape, showcased a decline in classical conventions and the rejection of reality, preferring the fantasy of the past.
• The novelist's portrayal of high society depicted a decadente world, consumed by gossip, illicit affairs, and a profound sense of spiritual emptiness. The characters, trapped in their gilded cages, displayed a pervasive sense of ennui, signifying the erosion of moral values and a deep-seated dissatisfaction with their hollow existence and the meaningless world they had constructed.
• The empire, after centuries of power and expansion, succumbed to its own decadente internal forces. The decline manifested through corruption, excessive spending, and a weakening of the military; these symptoms revealed how easy it was for the empire to be brought to its knees through its own indulgences. The seeds of the decay had been sown long ago.
• The film's depiction of the celebrity lifestyle revealed a decadente culture, prioritizing fleeting pleasures and superficial appearances over genuine connection or artistic substance. The characters' obsessions with wealth and status, along with their moral compromises, created a world where values were inverted and empty. The film showed how easy it was to become lost in the pursuit of self-gratification.