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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of obscenity
Inevitably, the film was immediately banned in Japan, but a book containing the film’s script and a dozen stills — in an echo of the case made in Italy about Bernardo Bertolucci’s Last Tango in Paris — was tried for obscenity.
—
Damon Wise, Deadline, 14 May 2025
Such was the case this past weekend, as the Bronx faithful showered the $765-million man with deafening boos, taunts and obscenities.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 19 May 2025
The shooting happened around 7 p.m., when officers were called to the 300 block of Oyster Point Boulevard for a report of a man who was yelling obscenities and trying to use a metal object to force his way into a public restroom, the South San Francisco Police Department said in a statement.
—Jason Green, Mercury News, 16 May 2025
The legislation would revise the obscenity standard that authorities have used since the Supreme Court's 1973 Miller vs. California decision, which critics say is outdated and difficult to enforce, especially in the digital age.
—Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for obscenity
Damon Wise, Deadline, 14 May 2025
Such was the case this past weekend, as the Bronx faithful showered the $765-million man with deafening boos, taunts and obscenities.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 19 May 2025
The shooting happened around 7 p.m., when officers were called to the 300 block of Oyster Point Boulevard for a report of a man who was yelling obscenities and trying to use a metal object to force his way into a public restroom, the South San Francisco Police Department said in a statement.
—Jason Green, Mercury News, 16 May 2025
The legislation would revise the obscenity standard that authorities have used since the Supreme Court's 1973 Miller vs. California decision, which critics say is outdated and difficult to enforce, especially in the digital age.
—Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for obscenity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obscenity
Noun
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During the presentation by PMM Chesterton, which wants to redevelop the golf course, Kowalski used a vulgarity to describe how the houses would be too close to each other.—
Jim Woods,
Chicago Tribune,
1 June 2025
-
The fans in Section 204, directly beyond where a right fielder stands, eschewed artistry for straight-up vulgarity.—
Will Sammon,
New York Times,
17 May 2025
Noun
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The sheer volume of deals promoted by Amazon during sales like Prime Day is a blessing and a curse.—
Louryn Strampe,
Wired News,
12 June 2025
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No conference in major college football can match the Big 12 for parity, which is both a blessing and curse.—
Jon Wilner,
Mercury News,
6 June 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
-
The two met in first grade at their elementary school in North Carolina, where they were both placed in detention for writing profanity on their tests.—
Raven Brunner,
People.com,
6 June 2025
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The alleged profanity is believed to have been directed at Jewell Loyd, who joined the Aces during the 2025 offseason after 10 seasons with Seattle, the source said.—
Sabreena Merchant,
New York Times,
5 June 2025
Noun
-
Photosynthesis was such a profound development; so were eukaryotes, nervous systems and language.—
Philip Ball,
Wired News,
8 June 2025
-
The government's 2011 population census found that a little more than 10% of Indians fluently speak the language.—
Omkar Khandekar,
NPR,
8 June 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
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An official synopsis for ‘Kiss of the Spider Woman’ reads: Valentín (Diego Luna), a political prisoner, shares a cell with Molina (Tonatiuh), a window dresser convicted of public indecency.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
5 June 2025
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The story centers on political prisoner Valentín (Diego Luna) who shares a cell with Molina (Tonatiuh), a window dresser convicted of public indecency.—
Lexy Perez,
HollywoodReporter,
5 June 2025
Noun
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In a post on the X account of Pirate Radio, 92.7 Greenville The Voice of The Pirate Nation, O’Sullivan is shown on video using more than a dozen expletives in the span of 47 seconds.—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 June 2025
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Video of the performance shows Morello appearing in front of a backdrop featuring a collage of expletives and images of Trump.—
Judy Kurtz,
The Hill,
27 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Obscenity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obscenity. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
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