1
as in vulgarity
the quality or state of being obscene
the song couldn't be performed on the air due to the obscenity of the lyrics
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in curse
a disrespectful or indecent word or expression
uttered a loud obscenity when he dropped the hammer on his toe
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of obscenity
Of course, most of these sanctimonious snore-mongers linger on in one shrunken form or another, still screaming obscenities and shaking their fists at the moon.
—
Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 28 June 2025
But Flynt’s magazine won its colorful publisher lasting fame, and infamy, too, as his obscenity trials became landmark victory cases for the First Amendment.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 12 June 2025
After all, the legal definition of obscenity has a multi-pronged high bar and is a criminal offense for individuals.
—Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 3 July 2025
The law targets performances that fall under the state's obscenity restrictions, historically an extremely rigorous legal hurdle to clear in court.
—Melissa Brown, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for obscenity
Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 28 June 2025
But Flynt’s magazine won its colorful publisher lasting fame, and infamy, too, as his obscenity trials became landmark victory cases for the First Amendment.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 12 June 2025
After all, the legal definition of obscenity has a multi-pronged high bar and is a criminal offense for individuals.
—Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 3 July 2025
The law targets performances that fall under the state's obscenity restrictions, historically an extremely rigorous legal hurdle to clear in court.
—Melissa Brown, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for obscenity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obscenity
Noun
-
The fastidious formality of Monsieur Gustave H. exists right alongside his matter-of-fact vulgarity, a combination that Fiennes nails with astounding precision.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
12 June 2025
-
Robert Rhoads, Oakland Park Politicians and vulgarities Your front-page article on the use of expletives by U.S.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
7 July 2025
Noun
-
This is both a blessing and a curse in the list production process.—
Maggie McGrath,
Forbes.com,
30 July 2025
-
And after that, the Kennedy curse became this sort of wide-ranging explanation for a lot of things that were happening.—
Andrea Wurzburger,
People.com,
16 July 2025
Noun
-
Bonus: For every 100ml bottle sold, Omorovicza donates 5% to Water.org, supporting global access to safe water. Jones Road Miracle Balm, $40 Women over 50 swear by this award-winning, Bobbi Brown-founded brand for its nourishing and hydrating qualities.—
Kristen Philipkoski,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
-
The word was forbidden in their household and treated like a swear.—
Ariana Yaptangco,
Glamour,
22 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Jenna Bush Hager brought a little spicy energy to Today With Jenna & Friends on Thursday, when the NBC personality used profanity during a live broadcast, much to the shock of colleague Willie Geist and her behind-the-scenes crew members.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
25 July 2025
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That supervisor also used profanity and degraded women, the lawsuit alleged.—
Alexandra Hardle,
AZCentral.com,
22 July 2025
Noun
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But their language echoes the same arguments about unfair trade, deficits and national security that Trump invoked during his reciprocal tariff rollout.—
Kevin Breuninger,
CNBC,
26 July 2025
-
English is widely spoken across Puerto Rico, but travelers should keep in mind that Spanish is the island's universal language.—
Carley Rojas Avila,
Travel + Leisure,
26 July 2025
Noun
-
As the Oxford English Dictionary notes, the expression not hardly is considered a vulgarism.—
NR Editors,
National Review,
16 Apr. 2020
-
The British cringed over new American accents, coinages and vulgarisms.—
Time,
Time,
11 June 2019
Noun
-
There’s a risk of indecency, certainly, but the boundary is subjective, and Bayern smashing 10 past Auckland was merely them completing a full day’s work.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
19 June 2025
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Rodriguez was taken into custody without incident and transported to police headquarters where he was charged with breach of peace and public indecency.—
Staff report,
Hartford Courant,
15 June 2025
Noun
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Other posts included in the indictment show Habba was also called expletives.—
Silas Morgan,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 June 2025
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During Tuesday night’s public comment period, the mayor’s mic picked up him uttering an expletive referring to a public commenter, with the moment posted on multiple social media accounts.—
Emilie Takahashi,
Oc Register,
19 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Obscenity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obscenity. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.
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