Synonyms of ribald

ribald

adjective

ˈri-bəld 

1

as in obscene

depicting or referring to sexual matters in a way that is unacceptable in polite society

some of the movie's most ribald, and thus funniest, scenes were cut for showing on broadcast television

Synonyms & Similar Words

• obscene
• vulgar
• pornographic
• foul
• nasty
• dirty
• bawdy
• filthy
• suggestive
• crude
• raunchy
• gross
• lascivious
• naughty
• lewd
• indecent
• blue
• profane
• offensive
• smutty
• unacceptable
• unpleasant
• coarse
• obnoxious
• unprintable
• locker-room
• trashy
• disgusting
• undesirable
• abusive
• impure
• unwanted
• wanton
• stag
• X-rated
• infamous
• broad
• gutter
• salacious
• porny
• wicked
• scatological
• racy
• indecorous
• perverted
• indelicate
• earthy
• soft
• depraved
• risqué
• barnyard
• salty
• kinky
• immodest
• low
• objectionable
• coarse-grained
• gamy
• off
• perverse
• unwelcome
• unbecoming
• off-color
• repulsive
• loathsome
• revolting
• repugnant
• scurrilous
• distasteful
• repellent
• exceptionable
• louche
• abhorrent
• reprehensible
• censurable
• atrocious
• blamable
• hard-core
• blameworthy
• debasing
• soft-core

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• wholesome
• puritanical
• clean
• decent
• prudish
• Victorian
• staid
• proper
• polite
• genteel
• correct
• decorous
• respectable
• innocuous
• nice
• prim
• pleasant
• appropriate
• priggish
• G-rated
• acceptable
• desirable
• inoffensive
• agreeable
• straitlaced
• suitable
• welcome
• pleasing
• seemly
• nonobscene
• meet
• pure
• becoming
• perfect
• virginal
• fit
• immaculate
• endorsed
• spotless
• approved
• sanctioned

2

as in suggestive

hinting at or intended to call to mind matters regarded as indecent

a ribald tale rife with double entendres and racy innuendo

Synonyms & Similar Words

• suggestive
• spicy
• bawdy
• vulgar
• lewd
• blue
• racy
• naughty
• risqué
• salty
• off
• gamy
• off-color
• crude
• obscene
• pornographic
• coarse
• nasty
• foul
• filthy
• raunchy
• warm
• lascivious
• dirty
• earthy
• indecent
• barnyard
• gross
• smutty
• prurient
• unprintable
• locker-room
• coarse-grained
• leering
• indecorous
• indelicate
• immodest
• stag
• unpublishable
• X-rated
• porny
• gutter

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• clean
• decent
• innocuous
• inoffensive
• puritanical
• G-rated
• prudish
• Victorian
• priggish
• staid
• nonobscene
• prim
• polite
• proper
• genteel
• decorous
• respectable
• correct
• nice
• seemly
• straitlaced

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of ribald are coarse, gross, obscene, and vulgar. While all these words mean "offensive to good taste or morals," ribald applies to what is amusingly or picturesquely vulgar or irreverent or mildly indecent.

entertained the campers with ribald folk songs

Where would coarse be a reasonable alternative to ribald?

The synonyms coarse and ribald are sometimes interchangeable, but coarse implies roughness, rudeness, or crudeness of spirit, behavior, or language.

found the coarse humor of coworkers offensive

When can gross be used instead of ribald?

The meanings of gross and ribald largely overlap; however, gross implies extreme coarseness and insensitiveness.

gross eating habits

In what contexts can obscene take the place of ribald?

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

obscene language not allowed on the air

When might vulgar be a better fit than ribald?

The words vulgar and ribald are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, vulgar often implies boorishness or ill-breeding.

a loud vulgar belch

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of ribald

There’s Harley Russell, ribald proprietor and performer at the Sandhills Curiosity Shop in Erick, Okla. — Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026

Over the years, the notoriously ribald Stern has interviewed hundreds of actors, comedians, music artists, athletes, politicians and more on his show. — Todd Spangler, Variety, 8 Sep. 2025

Eight years ago that original, decidedly more ribald version, was a surprise hit with gay men. — Rod Stafford Hagwood, sun-sentinel.com, 14 Oct. 2020

But, Brigman found, the men in Stieglitz’s scene often belittled the subject, ogling and making ribald jokes. — Sarah Blackwood, The New Yorker, 11 May 2020