turpitude

Group 27Difficulty 2/3

Definition

(noun)
Depravity; wickedness
GRE

Example in Context

The conviction for moral turpitude disqualified the candidate from holding public office under the terms of the state constitution.

Synonyms

evilwickednessdepravity

Etymology

From Latin, meaning moral depravity or wickedness.

  • turpitudo (Latin) — baseness

Memory Aid

🐢Sounds like “turtle pitude

A TURTLE in a pit of slime doing wicked things is the very definition of TURPITUDE!

Visual Association

😈A turtle in a mud pit, plotting evil deeds while wearing a tiny villain mask.

Semantic Clusters

Synonym Groups

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “turpitude” mean on the GRE?

turpitude (noun) means “Depravity; wickedness”. The conviction for moral turpitude disqualified the candidate from holding public office under the terms of the state constitution.

How to remember “turpitude” for the GRE?

Mnemonic: “turpitude” sounds like “turtle pitude”. A TURTLE in a pit of slime doing wicked things is the very definition of TURPITUDE!

What are synonyms for “turpitude”?

Common synonyms: evil, wickedness, depravity.