as in vice
the practice of engaging in sexual activities for money
prostitution is illegal in most states
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of prostitution
Omotoya faces a charge of soliciting prostitution and Arbuthnot faces charges of organized criminal activity, according to jail records.
—
Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 May 2026
The possibility that prostitution was occurring at the motel came as no surprise to locals, whose city routinely ranks among the poorest and most crime-ridden in California.
—Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2026
The men face charges of solicitation of prostitution, a felony in Texas punishable with up two years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
—Sarah Bahari, Dallas News, 5 Apr. 2023
Street prostitution has been an issue on Capp Street in the Mission District for decades.
—Fifth & Mission Podcast, San Francisco Chronicle, 9 Feb. 2023
See All Example Sentences for prostitution
Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 May 2026
The possibility that prostitution was occurring at the motel came as no surprise to locals, whose city routinely ranks among the poorest and most crime-ridden in California.
—Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2026
The men face charges of solicitation of prostitution, a felony in Texas punishable with up two years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
—Sarah Bahari, Dallas News, 5 Apr. 2023
Street prostitution has been an issue on Capp Street in the Mission District for decades.
—Fifth & Mission Podcast, San Francisco Chronicle, 9 Feb. 2023
See All Example Sentences for prostitution
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prostitution
harlotry
Noun
-
In one case, the life of an upper-class woman and contemporary of Julius Caesar, Clodia, saw her reputation destroyed by false claims of harlotry, home-wrecking, and husband-killing.—
Time,
Time,
24 Nov. 2025
-
Within the slippery world of harlotry—where class can be transcended and humanity bought—relationships form that defy our historical assumptions about the bounded categories of human experience.—
Sarah Marshall,
New Republic,
2 June 2017
Cite this Entry
“Prostitution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prostitution. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
