1
as in obscene
depicting or referring to sexual matters in a way that is unacceptable in polite society
a bawdy comment about someone you work with could get you fired
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in suggestive
hinting at or intended to call to mind matters regarded as indecent
a bawdy limerick that mischievous storytellers love to recite
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bawdy
Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson established themselves as something of a 21st century Abbott & Costello (or, at the very least, Cheech & Chong) with this bawdy 2005 smash directed and co-written by David Dobkin.
—
Jason Bailey, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
What follows is an alternately hilarious, bawdy, and sad attempt to solve the former problem before the latter befalls her.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 3 Apr. 2025
There are weird, humiliating games, bawdy speeches, bursts of boozy laughter, and a punitive spirit of newlywed hazing.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 19 Apr. 2025
In one scene, animal marionettes dance on strings; in another, shadow puppets act out a bawdy folk tale.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bawdy
Jason Bailey, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
What follows is an alternately hilarious, bawdy, and sad attempt to solve the former problem before the latter befalls her.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 3 Apr. 2025
There are weird, humiliating games, bawdy speeches, bursts of boozy laughter, and a punitive spirit of newlywed hazing.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 19 Apr. 2025
In one scene, animal marionettes dance on strings; in another, shadow puppets act out a bawdy folk tale.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bawdy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bawdy
Adjective
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The ex-data processor for the Boston Transportation Department was previously convicted in Suffolk Superior Court of: rape of a child, assault to rape a child, indecent assault and battery on a child, disseminating obscene material to a minor, and possession of child pornography.—
Rick Sobey,
Boston Herald,
24 June 2025
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But the legal standard for what qualifies as obscene is extremely high.—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 June 2025
Adjective
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Sabrina Carpenter is barking back at the backlash surrounding her suggestive album cover.—
Jay Stahl,
USA Today,
25 June 2025
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The actor claimed that Perry began texting him over the next few months, making suggestive advances and promising to help Dixon find a job.—
Emily Blackwood,
People.com,
18 June 2025
Adjective
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Using vulgar, profane or indecent language in a loud or boisterous manner in the presence of children.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
16 June 2025
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Between 12% and 13.3% of Americans, around 10% of Brits, and 9.4% of Australians used at least one vulgar word in their data.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
15 June 2025
Adjective
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Produced by Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery in Nashville, Belle Meade Bourbon is a high-rye bourbon that offers a rich and spicy profile.—
Emily Price,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2025
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On Thursday, July 10, the beloved Snack Wrap — available in spicy and ranch varieties — returns.—
Sabrina Weiss,
People.com,
27 June 2025
Adjective
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Much of the dialogue is hilariously ribald, especially in a locker room scene in which the two nude men share a tender familial embrace after comparing penises.—
Frank Scheck,
The Hollywood Reporter,
10 June 2023
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The couple became a symbol of marital stability in the freewheeling rock world, even as Charlie drummed for a band that was the most famously ribald band in music history.—
Jem Aswad,
Variety,
19 Dec. 2022
Adjective
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This time, Boyle and Garland have a sharper, nastier provocation in mind.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
25 June 2025
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Again there are two levels here, and each radically altered the color profile of the onscreen visuals – with the high setting giving everything a nasty green hue.—
Paul Ridden
June 25,
New Atlas,
25 June 2025
Adjective
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By the time Wood, the former Padres prospect who went to Washington in 2022 in the trade for Juan Soto, hit a three-run homer that clanged off the right field foul pole in the eighth inning to put the almost-final touch on the Nationals’ 10-6 victory, there was no real overt reaction.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 June 2025
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Your husband is foul for not calling out her garbage behavior.—
Virginia Chamlee,
People.com,
23 June 2025
Adjective
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Finally, never reuse dirty water as toddlers and pets might accidentally swallow it.—
Lauren Bengtson,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 June 2025
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To properly load a dishwasher for maximum cleaning power, place dishes in the dishwasher with the dirty side facing the jets, with taller items around the outside.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
25 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bawdy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bawdy. Accessed 7 Jul. 2025.
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