lewd

1 of 2

adjective

Synonyms of lewdnext
1
a
: obscene, vulgar
lewd remarks
b
: sexually unchaste or licentious (see licentious sense 1)
lewd behavior
2
obsolete : evil, wicked
lewdly adverb
lewdness noun

lewdness

2 of 2

noun

lewd·​ness
plural -es
: the quality or state of being lewd

Examples of lewd in a Sentence

Adjective He made lewd remarks to the woman at the bar. bystanders were shocked by the lewd behavior of the couple in the park
Recent Examples on the Web
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Adjective
The Canyon County Prosecutor’s Office dropped a lewd conduct charge against Holbrook in July 2025, saying additional prosecution would not result in meaningful additional punishment after his Washington conviction. Idaho Statesman, 3 June 2026 California records show he was convicted of lewd or lascivious acts with a child under the age of 14 in 2014 and released from prison in 2018. Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 3 June 2026 On Thursday, Billings was charged with an offense against a student by an authority figure and lewd and lascivious touching of certain minors. Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 29 May 2026 Basil Billings, 62, of Margate, was booked into the Broward Main Jail on one count of offense against a student by an authority figure and one count of lewd or lascivious touching of a minor between 16 and 17 years old, jail records show. Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 29 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for lewd

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English lewed vulgar, from Old English lǣwede laical, ignorant

Noun

Middle English lewednesse ignorance, wickedness, from lewed, lewede + -nesse -ness

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of lewd was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lewd.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lewd. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

lewd

adjective
1
: showing interest in sex in a rude manner
lewd behavior
2
: indecent
lewd remarks
lewdly adverb
lewdness noun

Legal Definition

lewd

adjective
: involving or being sexual conduct that is considered indecent or offensive : licentious
convicted of lewd and lascivious assault upon a childNational Law Journal
lewdly adverb
lewdness noun

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