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
The Chico State allegations were covered by the Chico Enterprise-Record, which reported in 2006 that players accused Goodenbour of degrading them and directing obscenities at them.
—
Julia Haney, NPR, 28 Mar. 2026
But as the film quietly signals, a society’s obscenities are not aberrations, only parts of an ugly chapter in a long history.
—Michael Snyder, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2026
There’s an obscenity with pearls.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2026
And where no parent could sit their kids within 15 feet of the Nuggets’ bench without hearing a torrent of Moe obscenities.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for obscenity
Julia Haney, NPR, 28 Mar. 2026
But as the film quietly signals, a society’s obscenities are not aberrations, only parts of an ugly chapter in a long history.
—Michael Snyder, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2026
There’s an obscenity with pearls.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2026
And where no parent could sit their kids within 15 feet of the Nuggets’ bench without hearing a torrent of Moe obscenities.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for obscenity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obscenity
Noun
-
The values are different now, the lifestyles, the accepted vulgarity, the manners, the view of what’s patriotic and what’s not, the concept of service.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Apr. 2026
-
It is hoped that political ad campaigns would aim to lessen the meanness and divisiveness and vulgarity that have damaged our democracy.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The story introduces a family curse requiring Rachel to marry her soulmate by sundown on her wedding day or face death.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
3 Apr. 2026
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The season ends with Rachel driving away, now as this immortal witness to the ongoing curse.—
Jackie Strause,
HollywoodReporter,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
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If an exclamation point only signified gore and grossness, this gothic rock opera would more than qualify.—
Rachel Simon,
Vulture,
6 Mar. 2026
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The characters’ propensity for ugly faces, silliness and a bit of grossness too, stems from the portrayals of girlhood and young womanhood that appeal to them.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Kennedy could be heard hurling swears at the Swedish team.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
23 Feb. 2026
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And Boring would be that much closer to its 90,000-rider pinkie-swear.—
Pat Beall,
Sun Sentinel,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The other funnymen of the time—Milton Berle with his lewd suggestiveness, Jackie Gleason with his baleful roar—did the same shtick over and over.—
David Denby,
New Yorker,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Police said the man was standing on the roof with a shotgun, pointing the weapon at people working in the backyard of a neighboring home and yelling profanities, including racist remarks.—
Tim Fang,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
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The situation escalated when one member of the group used profanity while gathering their belongings.—
Darlin Tillery,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
There’s some rudeness, aggressive conversations, and crudeness, but nothing too over the top.—
Lynnette Nicholas,
Parents,
4 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Arghavan runs a small language school that teaches French to Iranians who want to live in the Canadian province of Quebec.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 Apr. 2026
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That language isn’t in the new law.—
Claire Heddles,
Miami Herald,
7 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Obscenity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obscenity. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
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