indecency

noun

in·​de·​cen·​cy (ˌ)in-ˈdē-sᵊn(t)-sē 

1

: the quality or state of being indecent

2

: something (such as a word or action) that is indecent

Synonyms

• vulgarity
• grossness
• obscenity
• lewdness
• suggestiveness
• crudeness
• foulness
• coarseness
• lasciviousness

Examples of indecency in a Sentence

The book has been criticized for indecency.

I was shocked by the indecency of their language.

He was accused of sexual indecencies.

Recent Examples on the Web

Prosecution even brought up his testimony in Syed’s trial during Sellers’s own public-indecency trial. —Bethy Squires, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2025

There are restraints on broadcasters, the FCC notes, including on indecency, obscenity, commercial content in children’s programming and broadcast news distortion. —Ted Johnson, Deadline, 17 Sep. 2025

Arrested in Harris County in 2018 In 2018, he was arrested in Harris County, Texas, for indecency with a child. —Cnn.com, Mercury News, 16 Sep. 2025

Stern, who is 71, first signed with satellite radio broadcaster Sirius in 2004 (prior to its merger with XM), in part to be free of oversight by the FCC, which had levied millions of dollars in fines on terrestrial radio stations that carried his show for alleged indecency. —Todd Spangler, Variety, 8 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1589, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for indecency

• decency
• recency

Kids Definition

indecency

noun

in·​de·​cen·​cy (ˈ)in-ˈdēs-ən-sē 

plural indecencies

1

: lack of decency

2

: an indecent act or word