profanity
noun
pro·fan·i·ty
prō-ˈfa-nə-tē 
prə-
plural profanities
1
a
: the quality or state of being profane
b
: the use of profane language
2
a
: profane language
b
: an utterance of profane language
Examples of profanity in a Sentence
The comic uses too much profanity.
My mom will not tolerate profanity.
I have never heard my father utter a single profanity.
Recent Examples on the Web
Even though a minority of people with Tourette syndrome experience coprolalia, media portrayals of Tourette’s disproportionately focus on outbursts of profanity.
—
Rena Zito, Fortune, 26 Feb. 2026
The sound of rubbery squeaking and a few choice profanities emerged from her bedroom.
—Literary Hub, 26 Feb. 2026
As a series of speakers gave remarks—several laced their speeches with profanity and references to Trump’s presence in the Epstein files—a video montage, which included images of Jesse Jackson, Malcolm X, Colin Kaepernick, and Muhammad Ali, played in the background.
—Toluse Olorunnipa, The Atlantic, 25 Feb. 2026
The trespasser was shouting profanities and throwing water from a plastic bottle, Tahara detailed.
—Cecilio Padilla, CBS News, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for profanity
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Rena Zito, Fortune, 26 Feb. 2026
The sound of rubbery squeaking and a few choice profanities emerged from her bedroom.
—Literary Hub, 26 Feb. 2026
As a series of speakers gave remarks—several laced their speeches with profanity and references to Trump’s presence in the Epstein files—a video montage, which included images of Jesse Jackson, Malcolm X, Colin Kaepernick, and Muhammad Ali, played in the background.
—Toluse Olorunnipa, The Atlantic, 25 Feb. 2026
The trespasser was shouting profanities and throwing water from a plastic bottle, Tahara detailed.
—Cecilio Padilla, CBS News, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for profanity
Cite this Entry
“Profanity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/profanity. Accessed 5 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
profanity
noun
pro·fan·i·ty
prō-ˈfan-ət-ē
prə-
plural profanities
1
: the quality or state of being profane
2
: profane language
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