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
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
When a Democratic Congress responded by trying to pass a bill codifying it into law, Reagan vetoed the bill and his deregulation-fixated (but also indecency-patrolling) FCC commissioner, Mark Fowler led the commission to abolish the Fairness Doctrine.
—
Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 27 Sep. 2025
Molina, a window dresser imprisoned for public indecency, escapes the grim reality of their confinement by retelling the plot of a glamorous Hollywood musical featuring his favorite silver screen diva, Ingrid Luna (Jennifer Lopez).
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 24 Sep. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for indecency
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.
Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 27 Sep. 2025
Molina, a window dresser imprisoned for public indecency, escapes the grim reality of their confinement by retelling the plot of a glamorous Hollywood musical featuring his favorite silver screen diva, Ingrid Luna (Jennifer Lopez).
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 24 Sep. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for indecency
Cite this Entry
“Indecency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indecency. Accessed 5 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
indecency
noun
in·de·cen·cy
(ˈ)in-ˈdēs-ən-sē
plural indecencies
1
: lack of decency
2
: an indecent act or word
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share