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

• 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

Kimmel's obscenity laced criticisms were not. —Joshua Sammons, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025

Typically, the discussion of whether a station violated the FCC's guidelines centers around children's programming, a cut to news content, or obscenity — such as Janet Jackson's wardrobe malfunction during the Super Bowl in 2004. —Lillian Rizzo, CNBC, 19 Sep. 2025

The underage suspect was allegedly seen shouting obscenities at the vigil crowd and was escorted out of the area. —Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 19 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

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