obscenity

noun

ob·​scen·​i·​ty äb-ˈse-nə-tē 

əb-

also -ˈsē-

plural obscenities

1

: the quality or state of being obscene

2

: something (such as an utterance or act) that is obscene

Synonyms of obscenity

• vulgarity
• grossness
• suggestiveness
• crudeness
• foulness
• indecency
• lewdness
• coarseness

Examples of obscenity in a Sentence

The author uses obscenity to make a point about the culture.

the song couldn't be performed on the air due to the obscenity of the lyrics

Recent Examples on the Web

That fight spurred obscenity charges against the arts center and its director, but a jury threw out those charges. —Victoria Moorwood, Cincinnati Enquirer, 14 Dec. 2025

Shepard was serving hot chocolate during one of these showings of The Maids when police and firemen came into the café in hopes of finding some excuse to shut Stewart’s shows down for obscenity. —Literary Hub, 12 Dec. 2025

The station later posted an explanation to listeners who were not only subjected to obscenities, but also missed a game between the Cowboys and their archrivals. —Tom Tapp, Deadline, 26 Nov. 2025

At a February concert, Ballerini momentarily paused her show in Hollywood, Florida, when fans began to shout obscenities about Evans. —Anika Reed, USA Today, 21 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French obscenité "indecent words or images," borrowed from Latin obscēnitāt-, obscēnitās (obscaenitāt-, obscaenitās) "indecency, indecent language or behavior," from obscēnus, obscaenus "ill-omened, unpropitious, evoking disgust, indecent, lewd" + -itāt-, -itās -ity — more at obscene

First Known Use

1589, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing obscenity

• anti-obscenity

Rhymes for obscenity

• amenity
• serenity
• lenity

Kids Definition

obscenity

noun

ob·​scen·​i·​ty äb-ˈsen-ət-ē 

əb-

plural obscenities

1

: the quality or state of being obscene

2

: something that is obscene

Legal Definition

obscenity

noun

ob·​scen·​i·​ty äb-ˈse-nə-tē 

plural obscenities

1

: the quality or state of being obscene

2

: something (as an utterance or act) that is obscene

also : obscene material