1
as in obscene
depicting or referring to sexual matters in a way that is unacceptable in polite society
bystanders were shocked by the lewd behavior of the couple in the park
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in passionate
having a strong sexual desire
a lewd 18th-century nobleman who left behind hundreds of erotic love letters
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in suggestive
hinting at or intended to call to mind matters regarded as indecent
a nearby diner kept telling lewd jokes until we told him to shut up
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 lewd
The Canyon County Prosecutor’s Office dropped a lewd conduct charge against Holbrook in July 2025, saying additional prosecution would not result in meaningful additional punishment after his Washington conviction.
—
Idaho Statesman,
3 June 2026
California records show he was convicted of lewd or lascivious acts with a child under the age of 14 in 2014 and released from prison in 2018.
—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
On Thursday, Billings was charged with an offense against a student by an authority figure and lewd and lascivious touching of certain minors.
—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
29 May 2026
Basil Billings, 62, of Margate, was booked into the Broward Main Jail on one count of offense against a student by an authority figure and one count of lewd or lascivious touching of a minor between 16 and 17 years old, jail records show.
—
Angie Dimichele,
Sun Sentinel,
29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for lewd
Idaho Statesman,
3 June 2026
California records show he was convicted of lewd or lascivious acts with a child under the age of 14 in 2014 and released from prison in 2018.
—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
On Thursday, Billings was charged with an offense against a student by an authority figure and lewd and lascivious touching of certain minors.
—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
29 May 2026
Basil Billings, 62, of Margate, was booked into the Broward Main Jail on one count of offense against a student by an authority figure and one count of lewd or lascivious touching of a minor between 16 and 17 years old, jail records show.
—
Angie Dimichele,
Sun Sentinel,
29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for lewd
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lewd
Adjective
-
Yippies would turn up at a 1970 Blood, Sweat & Tears show at Madison Square Garden, carrying obscene banners outside and dumping manure by the front gate.
-
After shares rallied to a peak of $225 on June 16, a stunning 50 percent rise over their opening price, Musk officially became the world’s very-first trillionaire — an obscene hyper-capitalist milestone highlighting the tech oligarchy’s iron grip on society.
Adjective
-
The Democrats are also passionate about the Constitution, the rule of law and due process — all high ground positions.
-
Even in some of the big, seemingly soulless companies, there’s a lot of really passionate people who want to make art.
Adjective
-
One of Smarty Pants’ buttons has a poop symbol on it, and there a couple of suggestive turns of phrase.
-
The messages between Johnson and Duffey in 2024 revealed that the two men used suggestive language.
Adjective
-
Gibson asked for pornographic images of the minor, and sent photos of himself, according to court documents.
-
While Washington drags its feet, kids across the nation are being exposed to vile, pornographic images and ads with no meaningful safeguards to prevent it.
Adjective
-
That’s why everything looks different in a cold pool versus a hot shower.
-
Either way, El Niño is likely to remain a hot topic throughout 2026.
Adjective
-
Wild Arugula While standard arugula may be part of many reasonably priced salad mixes, the deliciously spicy, dainty wild arugula fetches premium prices of $4 to $6 for a 5-ounce bunch.
-
Modales leans into cold-hardy grapes varieties like blaufränkisch, the spicy Austrian red variety that has become a favorite by-the-glass pour at Ox Bar.
Adjective
-
Others were removed early on for vulgar or inappropriate comments, according to a PGA Tour source with knowledge of the events, with five spectators in total ejected from the tournament with six holes to go.
-
In recent years, Trae Young has repeatedly tormented the Knicks at the famed Madison Square Garden, turning clutch shots and postgame showmanship into vulgar chants from New York fans.
Adjective
-
Some artists have eras, experimental phases, detours, creative dalliances; Arthur Russell’s career, for all its seeming contradictions—classical minimalism and lascivious disco, Zen Buddhist mantras and winsome country pop—was a continuum.
-
On Thursday, Riemer pleaded guilty to two counts of lewd or lascivious exhibition.
Cite this Entry
“Lewd.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lewd. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
