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
Synonyms
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
Violence and profanity The violence, obviously, is something that is not accurate whatsoever.
—
William Earl, Variety, 17 Sep. 2023
Mecham screams, punctuated by honks and profanity, according to footage from inside his vehicle June 10 reviewed by Fox News Digital.
—Christina Coulter, Fox News, 29 Oct. 2023
Her husband then took the gun from his wife and pointed it at the couple while screaming profanities at them, police said.
—Carol Robinson | Crobinson@al.com, al, 18 Sep. 2023
There is something slightly anachronistic about the rousing feminist themes here, but the film is great fun and the Toronto audience was wildly cheering at the end, which crescendoes with hilarious profanities hurled by both bravura actresses.
—Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 13 Sep. 2023
When Edith and fellow residents begin to receive wicked letters full of unintentionally hilarious profanities, fouth-mouthed Rose is charged with the crime.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 3 Nov. 2023
Some of the many attendees shouted profanities, argued or played music before they were removed.
—Jordan Miller, The Salt Lake Tribune, 9 Sep. 2023
Comments also criticized Serafin’s use of profanity at school board meetings.
—Jeremy Childs, Los Angeles Times, 18 Oct. 2023
But in a statement shared with CNN, the Metropolitan Opera said all performances follow FCC guidelines regarding profanity and questionable language.
—Devon M. Sayers, CNN, 9 Oct. 2023
See More
William Earl, Variety, 17 Sep. 2023
Mecham screams, punctuated by honks and profanity, according to footage from inside his vehicle June 10 reviewed by Fox News Digital.
—Christina Coulter, Fox News, 29 Oct. 2023
Her husband then took the gun from his wife and pointed it at the couple while screaming profanities at them, police said.
—Carol Robinson | Crobinson@al.com, al, 18 Sep. 2023
There is something slightly anachronistic about the rousing feminist themes here, but the film is great fun and the Toronto audience was wildly cheering at the end, which crescendoes with hilarious profanities hurled by both bravura actresses.
—Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 13 Sep. 2023
When Edith and fellow residents begin to receive wicked letters full of unintentionally hilarious profanities, fouth-mouthed Rose is charged with the crime.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 3 Nov. 2023
Some of the many attendees shouted profanities, argued or played music before they were removed.
—Jordan Miller, The Salt Lake Tribune, 9 Sep. 2023
Comments also criticized Serafin’s use of profanity at school board meetings.
—Jeremy Childs, Los Angeles Times, 18 Oct. 2023
But in a statement shared with CNN, the Metropolitan Opera said all performances follow FCC guidelines regarding profanity and questionable language.
—Devon M. Sayers, CNN, 9 Oct. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'profanity.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1563, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Dictionary Entries Near profanity
Cite this Entry
“Profanity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/profanity. Accessed 9 Dec. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids 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
More from Merriam-Webster on profanity
Nglish: Translation of profanity for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of profanity for Arabic Speakers
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