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
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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
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Recent Examples of obscene
An obscene trend that first took the WNBA by storm during its regular season made its debut during an NFL game on Sunday between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals.
—
Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2025
The couple quickly began receiving death threats and obscene phone calls.
—Johnny Dodd, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025
That’s when Talbot drove his vehicle at about 15 miles per hour and struck the man while making an obscene gesture, according to court documents.
—Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 26 Aug. 2025
Part of that obscene number is the Never Say Die Ladies Turf Sprint.
—Danny Brewer, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obscene
Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2025
The couple quickly began receiving death threats and obscene phone calls.
—Johnny Dodd, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025
That’s when Talbot drove his vehicle at about 15 miles per hour and struck the man while making an obscene gesture, according to court documents.
—Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 26 Aug. 2025
Part of that obscene number is the Never Say Die Ladies Turf Sprint.
—Danny Brewer, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obscene
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obscene
Adjective
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In late May, a parishioner at Our Lady of the Visitation in Green Township complained to the archdiocese about pornographic websites showing up on a church computer.—
Dan Horn,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
16 Sep. 2025
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Concerns have already been raised over the dangers of nudification apps that can be used to create pornographic images of people without their consent.—
Bernard Marr,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Don’t notice all the ways humans are disgusting.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
Entertainment Weekly,
19 Sep. 2025
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But this disgusting and hateful speech is still speech and is protected by our First Amendment.—
David Lightman,
Sacbee.com,
18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The book is filled with vulgar pictures, with many faces blacked out, and messages both handwritten and typed from well-wishers for Epstein’s 50th birthday.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
9 Sep. 2025
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The biopic is the vulgar but necessary tribute inherently populist cinema pays to more traditional, higher-brow art.—
Leslie Felperin,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The only debate is which of his five interceptions against LSU was the ugliest and/or costliest in a 20-10 loss.—
David Ubben,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
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The results were ugly and caused lasting damage to our citizens' livelihoods and our city's reputation.—
Ted Wheeler,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Jessica Post, who lives near Auburn and was sitting near the right field foul pole with her sister, Deanna Ritter of Roseville, was happy the A’s had put the flags to half-staff.—
Graham Womack,
Sacbee.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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Then second baseman Máximo Acosta chased down the ball in foul territory and threw wildly past third.—
Steve Gorten,
Miami Herald,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Tom’s appointees on the task force include Lizzie (Alison Oliver), a state police officer who’s regularly tormented by her fellow cops, and Aleah (Thuso Mbedu), who wins over a suspect in interrogation by sharing awful details of her past.—
Sophie Gilbert,
The Atlantic,
17 Sep. 2025
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His college tape from Iowa showed a kid with excellent movement skills, perfect for the Niners’ offense, but with awful footwork in pass protection.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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One said bump is a particularly nasty, literal wig-snatching fight between Vida and Chi-Chi.—
Jen Juneau,
PEOPLE,
11 Sep. 2025
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In a nutshell, people are easily irritated and inclined to get caught up in nasty power struggles because they’re entrenched in their own views.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Certainly, the non-participation of Ukrainian gymnasts in international sports competitions causes some damage to the sports composition, which leaves a sickening siege in our gymnasts and coaches, who have done a great job of preparing gymnasts for competitions.—
Caroline Price,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
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The sickening moment of Kirk's murder was captured on video and has been viewed by tens of millions of people.—
Melissa Galbraith,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Obscene.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obscene. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.
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