profligateA term describing someone who is recklessly extravagant or wasteful in the use of resources
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Recklessly extravagant or wasteful in the use of resources"Despite his riches, he maintained a profligate lifestyle that ultimately led to his downfall."
patricianA term referring to an aristocrat or nobleman
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An aristocrat or nobleman"The man moved with a patrician elegance that spoke of a privileged upbringing."
juxtaposeA verb meaning to place close together or side by side for contrasting effect
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To place or deal with close together for contrasting effect"The author uses his writing to juxtapose the protagonist's impoverished background with the wealthy society he finds himself in."
hedonismA doctrine that the pursuit of pleasure is the highest good
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The pursuit of pleasure; sensual self-indulgence"He was drawn to the hedonism and excess of the city's nightlife."
penuryA term meaning extreme poverty
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Extreme poverty, destitution"From boundless wealth to dire penury, his life was a tale of tragic downfall."
decadentCharacterized by or reflecting a state of moral or cultural decline
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Characterized by or reflecting a state of moral or cultural decline"The lavish party was a suitable panorama of the society's decadent lifestyle."
extravagantLacking restraint in spending money or using resources
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Lacking restraint in spending money or using resources"With his extravagant habits, it was no surprise that his fortune quickly dwindled."
cynicismAn inclination to believe that people are motivated purely by self-interest; skepticism
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An inclination to believe that people are motivated purely by self-interest; skepticism"Although he was often surrounded by admirers, he couldn't shake off his deep cynicism about their true motives."
incredulousUnwilling or unable to believe something
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Unwilling or unable to believe something"She listened to his outrageous story with an incredulous expression."
disillusionmentA feeling of disappointment resulting from the discovery that something is not as good as one believed it to be
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A feeling of disappointment resulting from the discovery that something is not as good as one believed it to be"His early optimism soon gave way to disillusionment as he realized the realities of his situation."