indecent

adjective

in·​de·​cent (ˌ)in-ˈdē-sᵊnt 

: not decent: such as

a

: grossly improper or offensive

indecent language/humor

indecent photos

b

: unseemly, inappropriate

He took indecent pleasure in their troubles.

indecently adverb

Synonyms of indecent

• obscene
• pornographic
• vulgar
• foul
• nasty

Examples of indecent in a Sentence

He took indecent pleasure in her troubles.

paintings of nude figures are artistic, not indecent

Recent Examples on the Web

In May 2014, Caballero was convicted of a second-degree felony involving indecent contact with an 8-year-old female and was incarcerated, according to the Texas Public Sex Offender website. —Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 3 Apr. 2026

The use of obscene or indecent clothing or signs will result in expulsion. —Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 31 Mar. 2026

Morris pleaded guilty last year to five counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child as part of a plea agreement. —Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026

Only men were gibbeted, as it was thought to be indecent to display a woman’s body in such a grotesque manner. —Tara Ramanathan, Encyclopedia Britannica, 25 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle French or Latin; Middle French indécent, from Latin indecent-, indecens, from in- + decent-, decens decent

First Known Use

circa 1587, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing indecent

• indecent assault
• indecent exposure

Rhymes for indecent

• decent
• puissant
• recent

Kids Definition

indecent

adjective

in·​de·​cent (ˈ)in-ˈdēs-ənt 

: not decent or proper : coarse, vulgar

indecent language

indecently adverb