Definition of vulgarnext
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Synonym Chooser

How is the word vulgar different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of vulgar are coarse, gross, obscene, and ribald. While all these words mean "offensive to good taste or morals," vulgar often implies boorishness or ill-breeding.

a loud vulgar belch

When is it sensible to use coarse instead of vulgar?

While the synonyms coarse and vulgar are close in meaning, coarse implies roughness, rudeness, or crudeness of spirit, behavior, or language.

found the coarse humor of coworkers offensive

When might gross be a better fit than vulgar?

The synonyms gross and vulgar are sometimes interchangeable, but gross implies extreme coarseness and insensitiveness.

gross eating habits

In what contexts can obscene take the place of vulgar?

While in some cases nearly identical to vulgar, obscene applies to anything strongly repulsive to the sense of decency and propriety especially in sexual matters.

obscene language not allowed on the air

Where would ribald be a reasonable alternative to vulgar?

In some situations, the words ribald and vulgar are roughly equivalent. However, ribald applies to what is amusingly or picturesquely vulgar or irreverent or mildly indecent.

entertained the campers with ribald folk songs

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 vulgar The messages—widely condemned as vulgar, misogynistic, racist, and homophobic—also revealed discussions about manipulating media coverage, targeting political opponents, and casual references to the misuse of public funds. Israel Melendez Ayala, Time, 30 Jan. 2026 But, earlier in 2024, the video of a vulgar and homophobic comedy routine by Dean of Students and Interim Provost David Rancourt was posted on YouTube. Jonathan Scott Perry, Sun Sentinel, 18 Jan. 2026 Workers should never be subjected to vulgar language or behavior by anyone—including the President of the United States. Elle Meyers, CBS News, 15 Jan. 2026 The man called the driver vulgar names and spit on the right side of his face, according to Encarnacion-Rosados’ arrest warrant. Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for vulgar
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vulgar
Adjective
  • Boxer Imane Khelif admitted to having the SRY gene, located on the Y chromosome, which is found in biological males, and undergoing hormone treatments to lower testosterone levels ahead of the 2024 Olympics in an interview with the French sports publication L'Equipe.
    Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 6 Feb. 2026
  • The appeals court sent the case back to the lower court to amend the 2024 ruling.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Weiner pled guilty to transferring obscene material to a minor in 2017 and spent 15 months in federal prison for the crime.
    Martha Ross, Mercury News, 5 Feb. 2026
  • Texas Tech’s student section directed an obscene chant at Kansas’ Darryn Peterson as the freshman guard prepared to shoot a free throw late in the first half of the Jayhawks’ 64-61 victory over the Red Raiders on Monday night at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas.
    Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Though framed as a request for information, Levine’s letter signals that Florida’s campaign against accrediting bodies — once focused on general university oversight — is expanding into medicine, one of the most tightly regulated sectors of higher education.
    Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2026
  • The second would be how friendly people are along King Drive in general.
    Kynala Phillips, jsonline.com, 13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • While crass and lazy, the moniker did at least have a link to reality at a time when her male counterpart was excelling.
    Adam Leventhal, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2026
  • Zamiri aims to send up the crass monetization of a cultural boom, turning up the film’s absurdity knob to highlight the very real ways in which record labels and other corporate interests attach themselves vampirically to artistic success.
    Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 24 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • The city of big apples, hand-​tossed pizzas and the colloquial adverb deadass.
    Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 27 Jan. 2026
  • This time around, our Traitors and Faithfuls are a beautiful assortment of Housewives, Survivors, athletes, actors, and plenty of mothers — both literal (Donna Kelce) and in the colloquial sense (Porsha Williams).
    Tom Smyth, Vulture, 9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Here, however, Makowsky examines a purely ignoble figure who feels entitled without accomplishing a thing.
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 6 Nov. 2025
  • The Jets recently saw their local deliveries plummet to an ignoble 4.5 rating, which translates to a meager 350,530 Gang Green households tuning in to WBCS-2.
    Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The speakers took questions from concerned parents, who asked about the use of artificial intelligence to create pornographic images — a growing threat on social media — and what law enforcement will do about trafficking as the World Cup approaches.
    Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Feb. 2026
  • Douglas Wiederhold, 42, who appeared as the male actor in 71 of the website’s pornographic videos, pleaded guilty in 2024 to a federal conspiracy charge for his involvement with the now-defunct site.
    City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Harvesting seed nearby is a way to get plants that are genetically adapted to the prevailing environmental conditions and are more likely to thrive.
    Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Jan. 2026
  • In the northern United States, enjoying the starry winter sky requires protection against the prevailing low temperatures.
    Joe Rao, Space.com, 16 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Vulgar.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vulgar. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.

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