ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery)Word Knowledge (WK)Medium
A historian noted that the ancient civilization's decline was due to its <b>decadent</b> lifestyle, marked by excessive luxury and moral decay.
- AFrugal
- BVirtuous
- CCorrupt
- DAscetic
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Corrupt
Decadent describes a state of moral or cultural decline, often characterized by excessive indulgence and luxury. 'Corrupt' means characterized by moral weakness or depravity, making it a strong synonym in this context.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Frugal means sparing or economical with regard to money or food, which is the opposite of excessive luxury.
- B. Virtuous means having high moral standards, which is the opposite of decadent.
- D. Ascetic means characterized by severe self-discipline and abstention from all forms of indulgence, which is an antonym.
Decadent
Characterized by or reflecting a state of moral or cultural decline; excessively luxurious and self-indulgent.
- Often used to describe societies or periods of history.
- Implies a loss of traditional values.
- Associated with overindulgence and eventual downfall.
Memory trick: Decadent is like a 'decaying' dance.