obscenity
noun
ob·scen·i·ty
äb-ˈse-nə-tē 
əb-,
also -ˈsē-
plural obscenities
1
: the quality or state of being obscene
2
: something (such as an utterance or act) that is obscene
Examples of obscenity in a Sentence
The author uses obscenity to make a point about the culture.
the song couldn't be performed on the air due to the obscenity of the lyrics
Recent Examples on the Web
Others, including Republican Sens. Donna Campbell of New Braunfels and Paul Bettencourt of Houston, have argued the bill doesn't go far enough to prevent tax dollars from being used on projects with obscenity or foul language.
—
Alex Driggars, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
Image Much like obscenity, slop can be easier to spot than to define.
—Emma Goldberg, New York Times, 19 May 2025
As the protest heated up, some members of the crowd shouted obscenities at agents.
—Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2025
In a time when the suffering and seemingly hopeless prospects of America’s poor are known to all who have eyes to see, the only fig leaf available to hide the obscenity of this bill is the old partisan charge of waste, fraud and abuse.
—Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 6 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for obscenity
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Alex Driggars, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
Image Much like obscenity, slop can be easier to spot than to define.
—Emma Goldberg, New York Times, 19 May 2025
As the protest heated up, some members of the crowd shouted obscenities at agents.
—Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2025
In a time when the suffering and seemingly hopeless prospects of America’s poor are known to all who have eyes to see, the only fig leaf available to hide the obscenity of this bill is the old partisan charge of waste, fraud and abuse.
—Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 6 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for obscenity
Cite this Entry
“Obscenity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/obscenity. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
obscenity
noun
ob·scen·i·ty
äb-ˈsen-ət-ē
əb-
plural obscenities
1
: the quality or state of being obscene
2
: something that is obscene
Legal Definition
obscenity
noun
ob·scen·i·ty
äb-ˈse-nə-tē
plural obscenities
1
: the quality or state of being obscene
2
: something (as an utterance or act) that is obscene
also
: obscene material
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