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
Reed Partridge, the government’s legislative auditor and the former interim ethics administrator, confirmed that the ethics commission was reviewing the claim, as well as a separate claim involving whether Lopez made lewd gestures during a public meeting.
—
Kansas City Star, 10 Oct. 2025
Morris, 64, entered guilty pleas to five felony counts of lewd or indecent acts to a child in an Osage County courtroom.
—Nolan Clay, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
In Osage County District Court on Thursday, Morris, 64, admitted to five felony counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child.
—Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
The lewd conduct allegation has not resulted in charges, but in court, prosecutors said there is probable cause and indicated that charges could be filed in the future.
—Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lewd
Kansas City Star, 10 Oct. 2025
Morris, 64, entered guilty pleas to five felony counts of lewd or indecent acts to a child in an Osage County courtroom.
—Nolan Clay, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
In Osage County District Court on Thursday, Morris, 64, admitted to five felony counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child.
—Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
The lewd conduct allegation has not resulted in charges, but in court, prosecutors said there is probable cause and indicated that charges could be filed in the future.
—Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lewd
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lewd
Adjective
-
Beside one of those blandly obscene bidets.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 Oct. 2025
-
But the show avoided an FCC probe as the West Coast delay was censored, and the East Coast broadcast aired after the 6am-10pm window during which obscene content is prohibited on broadcast TV and radio.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
In their sultry dance, Robert took charge in the passionate performance.—
Brianne Tracy,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
-
East Fork gained a passionate following for its signature mugs sometime around 2019, but the brand has been producing ceramic dinnerware in North Carolina since founder Alex Matisse (yes, the great-grandchild of that Matisse) started the business in 2010.—
Alaina Chou,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
This period also saw Husain exploring female forms, including images of Hindu goddesses like Durga and Lakshmi, sometimes in suggestive or erotic poses.—
Oscar Holland,
CNN Money,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Even more suggestive of charter value, Rick Ware and Legacy Motor Club have battled in court over the sale of a charter for $45 million.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
While some individuals have produced hardcore pornographic clips starring Disney and comic book characters, others on the platform have succeeded in prompting Grok Imagine to conjure lewd imagery of Taylor Swift, Scarlett Johansson, and Sydney Sweeney.—
Miles Klee,
Rolling Stone,
23 Oct. 2025
-
OpenAI included numerous guardrails with Sora, including moderation, restrictions on scammy, violent and pornographic material, watermarks and controls over how one's likeness is used.—
Bobby Allyn,
NPR,
10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
From here, baking in the heat, general admission fans can watch elite guests queue for private hot laps, while VIP ticket holders dine at exclusive cantinas and hospitality areas.—
Patrick Iversen,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
-
The increasingly inaccessible real estate market is a hot topic among would-be homeowners these days, leaving shoppers looking for alternative options in the form of rentals, nomadic living, and yes, tiny homes.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Tender and with just a hint of salinity, fresh hauls come in from just off the coast and are served brilliantly with salad and spicy butter.—
Jacqui Gifford,
Travel + Leisure,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Buttery and packed with spice, the Cajun compound butter really takes this turkey to the next level without being overly spicy.—
Melinda Salchert,
Southern Living,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Who decides what’s decorous and what’s vulgar?—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
25 Oct. 2025
-
The president has been targeting Jeffries online with offensive and vulgar memes since the pair first had an unsuccessful sit-down meeting in the Oval Office just before the shutdown.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Timothy Scott Jaekel, 52, was arrested on seven counts of committing lewd or lascivious acts with a child younger than 14 years old.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Jordan Peter Mendez was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and a count of lewd or lascivious acts with a minor younger than 14, both felonies.—
City News Service,
Oc Register,
8 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lewd.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lewd. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share