1
as in pornographic
depicting or referring to sexual matters in a way that is unacceptable in polite society
obscene gestures are totally inappropriate in the workplace
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in disgusting
causing intense displeasure, disgust, or resentment
that ugly new store is really an obscene bit of architecture
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of obscene
Some made obscene gestures, and one held up a paper cursing the president.
—
Josh Boak, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2026
Guests will enjoy the experience free from disruptive behavior, foul language, obscene gestures, fighting, unruly conduct or inconsiderate actions.
—Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 21 Jan. 2026
While touring the plant, video posted by TMZ showed Trump making an obscene gesture at someone who was yelling at him from afar.
—Fortune, 14 Jan. 2026
Trump responded with a curse word and using an obscene gesture.
—Jamie L. Lareau, Freep.com, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for obscene
Josh Boak, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2026
Guests will enjoy the experience free from disruptive behavior, foul language, obscene gestures, fighting, unruly conduct or inconsiderate actions.
—Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 21 Jan. 2026
While touring the plant, video posted by TMZ showed Trump making an obscene gesture at someone who was yelling at him from afar.
—Fortune, 14 Jan. 2026
Trump responded with a curse word and using an obscene gesture.
—Jamie L. Lareau, Freep.com, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for obscene
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obscene
Adjective
-
The speakers took questions from concerned parents, who asked about the use of artificial intelligence to create pornographic images — a growing threat on social media — and what law enforcement will do about trafficking as the World Cup approaches.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Douglas Wiederhold, 42, who appeared as the male actor in 71 of the website’s pornographic videos, pleaded guilty in 2024 to a federal conspiracy charge for his involvement with the now-defunct site.—
City News Service,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The Epstein files reveal plenty of powerful people to have tolerated or participated in disgusting and shameful behavior.—
Gilad Edelman,
The Atlantic,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Hearing disgusting lies spread about my brother is absolutely gut-wrenching, and my family is deeply grateful so many people have stood up and helped tell his truth.—
Drake Bentley,
jsonline.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
When authorities asked King to remove the breast banner as vulgar, King taped over the nipples with stars made of tape or Magic Marker.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Sarah, the former Duchess of York, also sent emails to Epstein which included a vulgar mention of Eugenie, who had not yet turned 20 at the time, People reported.—
Rachel Burchfield,
InStyle,
3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Further, there is the even uglier spectre of players and coaches themselves fixing games.—
Tom Tapp,
Deadline,
12 Feb. 2026
-
Shower Heads Even the most high-end shower heads are not immune to ugly mineral deposits and limescale buildup that can clog the holes.—
Louise Parks,
Martha Stewart,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Scherzer, one of few pitchers who still runs foul poles after starts, was taking on players in their early-to-mid-20s to footraces after workouts.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Lee received a technical foul after being bothered by an offensive foul call on Grant Williams and immediately was sent off by head referee John Goble.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Bowing to popular demand, Fennell’s lackluster film doesn’t really bother with the stylistic flourishes of the source — this is really just the Cathy and Heathcliffe show, two awful people competing to destroy each other and threatening to take us to hell with them into the bargain.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
11 Feb. 2026
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In a stroke of awful timing, Devonta’s grandfather also dies during filming.—
Jennifer Zhan,
Vulture,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The mother of three was first spotted with the hunky Larocca, in October 2024, about six months after the nasty breakup with Hall.—
Madeleine Marr,
Miami Herald,
11 Feb. 2026
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Talarico remarked that the nasty interloper would provide good color for my story, and then recalled the time that former Governor Rick Perry had encountered a coyote while running outside Austin—and shot it dead.—
Mark Leibovich,
The Atlantic,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Miami is now 27-26, still mired in play-in territory, entering today’s matinee at horrible Washington.—
Greg Cote
February 8,
Miami Herald,
8 Feb. 2026
-
A lot of things have happened with regard to that horrible situation the last couple of hours.—
Kathy Tulumello,
AZCentral.com,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Obscene.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obscene. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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