Antonyms for saturnalian

Grammar : Adj

Spell : sat-er-ney-lee-uh, -neyl-yuh

Phonetic Transcription : ˌsæt ərˈneɪ li ə, -ˈneɪl yə

Definition of saturnalian

Origin : time of merrymaking, 1590s, from Latin Saturnalia, ancient Roman festivals of Saturn (held in December), a time of merrymaking for all, from neuter plural of adjective Saturnalis "pertaining to Saturn," from Saturnus (see Saturn). They correspond to the Greek Kronia. The extended sense of "period of unrestrained revelry" is first attested 1782. Related: Saturnalian.

As in merry : adj very happy; festive
As in unrestrained : adj excessive
As in immoral : adj evil, degenerate

Example sentences :

The solitary example of a Saturnalian victim in Msia did not fulfil these conditions.
Extract from : « Magic and Religion » by Andrew Lang

The Saturnalian spirit has not been extinct even in our days.
Extract from : « Curiosities of Literature, Vol. II (of 3) » by Isaac Disraeli

It was found necessary to suggest that originally the Saturnalian victim died in February-March, but this was not proved.
Extract from : « Magic and Religion » by Andrew Lang

On holidays and fair-days these Saturnalian proceedings grew more outrageous than ever.
Extract from : « A History of Police in England » by W. L. Melville Lee

However, this Saturnalian court has done our business; and a glorious batch of claret we had afterwards at Walker's.
Extract from : « Guy Mannering, or The Astrologer, Complete, Illustrated » by Sir Walter Scott

In a word, it deserves to be regarded as an effusion of Saturnalian licentiousness, rather than of poetry.
Extract from : « The Lives Of The Twelve Caesars, Complete » by C. Suetonius Tranquillus

Reference has already been made to Dr. Frazer's view of the Saturnalian king and his awful origin.
Extract from : « Christmas in Ritual and Tradition, Christian and Pagan » by Clement A. Miles

A fortune, rapid and secure, darted before du Tillet's eyes like a flash of lightning in a saturnalian night.
Extract from : « Rise and Fall of Cesar Birotteau » by Honore de Balzac

At the vestibule door a porter, somewhat befuddled by Saturnalian merry-making, was waiting sleepily.
Extract from : « Roads from Rome » by Anne C. E. Allinson

Napoleon was scrupulously respected through the whole of this Saturnalian festivity.
Extract from : « Memoirs of Napoleon Bonaparte, Complete » by Louis Antoine Fauvelet de Bourrienne

Synonyms for saturnalian

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019