1
as in obscene
depicting or referring to sexual matters in a way that is unacceptable in polite society
bystanders were shocked by the lewd behavior of the couple in the park
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in passionate
having a strong sexual desire
a lewd 18th-century nobleman who left behind hundreds of erotic love letters
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in suggestive
hinting at or intended to call to mind matters regarded as indecent
a nearby diner kept telling lewd jokes until we told him to shut up
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lewd
Betty repeatedly left lewd messages on the newlywed couple’s answering machine, to the point that Dan threatened to file criminal contempt charges, The Times reported at the time.
—
Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2026
Glauner is now charged with felony public indecency for lewd exposure near school grounds and a misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct.
—Sara Tenenbaum, CBS News, 8 May 2026
The man was booked into San Diego Central Jail on suspicion of performing a forcible lewd act on a person under age 14.
—City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
Berera was initially charged with committing a lewd act on a child and oral copulation of a person under 16, court records show, but those counts were dropped through the plea deal.
—Nate Gartrell, Sacbee.com, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lewd
Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2026
Glauner is now charged with felony public indecency for lewd exposure near school grounds and a misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct.
—Sara Tenenbaum, CBS News, 8 May 2026
The man was booked into San Diego Central Jail on suspicion of performing a forcible lewd act on a person under age 14.
—City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
Berera was initially charged with committing a lewd act on a child and oral copulation of a person under 16, court records show, but those counts were dropped through the plea deal.
—Nate Gartrell, Sacbee.com, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lewd
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lewd
Adjective
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If this obscene gerrymander survives, the next one will purge what little remains of Democratic representation in the Legislature, where the GOP holds massive supermajorities far beyond its share of the electorate.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
11 May 2026
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He was also given a third charge involving obscene material and minors, according to jail records.—
Devoun Cetoute,
Miami Herald,
9 May 2026
Adjective
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Set in Los Angeles, the film follows AJ, a shy teenager who loves skateboarding and drawing, and Kristen, a passionate surfer.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
19 May 2026
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Much of the film is set in and around a Parisian elder-care facility, and Hamaguchi guides us through its rooms and hallways, its meetings and rituals, with a patience and passionate granularity worthy of the late documentary filmmaker Frederick Wiseman.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
Adjective
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The sisters opted for suggestive sartorial choices, with Kylie Jenner stepping onto the carpet in a revealing strapless gown by Schiaparelli.—
Swasti Singhai,
USA Today,
20 May 2026
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There are several variations on classic trivia packaged into different games, as well as a one-letter-guessing game that’s suggestive of Jeopardy.—
Patrick Connolly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 May 2026
Adjective
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Professor Glen-Peter Ahlers, 71, was arrested in February after at least hundreds of pornographic photos and videos of children were found on his hard drive.—
Silas Morgan,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 May 2026
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The illicit chatbots allegedly produced pornographic images.—
Cerys Davies,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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And, if possible, make out with other hot transsexuals on your way.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 May 2026
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Fans attending games will also be subject to the urban heat island effect, when major cities become significantly hotter than nearby rural areas.—
Elias Burke,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
Adjective
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Those are followed by a look inside Milpero’s fermentation room, where a sample drink acts as a midway digestif for the spicy, spectacular hot courses served later in the night.—
Miguel Otárola,
Denver Post,
19 May 2026
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This spicy and creamy queso is taken up a notch with a layer of creamy guacamole.—
Nellah Bailey McGough,
Southern Living,
19 May 2026
Adjective
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Glamorous on the verge of vulgar, elegant yet unrestrained, and unmistakably luxurious.—
José Criales-Unzueta,
Vanity Fair,
17 May 2026
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Aimed mainly toward men between 18 and 49 years old, hot talk mixed vulgar jokes with talk about pop culture and politics and often took political positions contrary to feminism and liberalism.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
13 May 2026
Adjective
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Jean is charged with lewd and lascivious molestation on a child 12-16 years old and battery.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
13 May 2026
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He was booked into the High Desert Detention Center in San Bernardino with lewd and lascivious acts with a child.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lewd.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lewd. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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