profanity
noun
pro·fan·i·ty
prō-ˈfa-nə-tē 
prə-
plural profanities
1
a
: the quality or state of being profane
b
: the use of profane language
2
a
: profane language
b
: an utterance of profane language
Examples of profanity in a Sentence
The comic uses too much profanity.
My mom will not tolerate profanity.
I have never heard my father utter a single profanity.
Recent Examples on the Web
The city’s agreement with Clear Channel and Outfront Foster has similar terms, including several prohibitions such as no motion, no illumination between midnight and 6 a.m., and no violence, profanity, adult goods or services, or political and religious content.
—
Devan Patel, Mercury News, 18 June 2025
But outside of some mature dialogue in some instances, there is no profanity or otherwise inappropriate language.
—Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 17 June 2025
My father, never one to pass on a grand gesture, leaned in, but my mother shot him a look suggesting that the entire canon of American profanity could be translated into a single facial expression.
—Jelani Cobb, New Yorker, 14 June 2025
The jury heard Daniel yell profanities and call his ex-wife names.
—Erin Moriarty, CBS News, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for profanity
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.
Devan Patel, Mercury News, 18 June 2025
But outside of some mature dialogue in some instances, there is no profanity or otherwise inappropriate language.
—Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 17 June 2025
My father, never one to pass on a grand gesture, leaned in, but my mother shot him a look suggesting that the entire canon of American profanity could be translated into a single facial expression.
—Jelani Cobb, New Yorker, 14 June 2025
The jury heard Daniel yell profanities and call his ex-wife names.
—Erin Moriarty, CBS News, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for profanity
Cite this Entry
“Profanity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/profanity. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
profanity
noun
pro·fan·i·ty
prō-ˈfan-ət-ē
prə-
plural profanities
1
: the quality or state of being profane
2
: profane language
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share