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
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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bawdy
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
Jony and Line compete like gang members for affection and domination against bawdy Jane (Anamaria Vartolomei) and Rudy (Julien Manier), who wield laser swords and decapitate their enemies.
—Armond White, National Review, 14 Mar. 2025
Despite the bawdy nature of the pic, A24 booked the movie in theaters over the holiday season as there’s always room for a hard-R play at the Christmas time box office.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 13 Mar. 2025
The high point of the Rhineland region carnival season, is its parades showcasing bawdy political satire.
—Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bawdy
Justin Chang, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2025
Jony and Line compete like gang members for affection and domination against bawdy Jane (Anamaria Vartolomei) and Rudy (Julien Manier), who wield laser swords and decapitate their enemies.
—Armond White, National Review, 14 Mar. 2025
Despite the bawdy nature of the pic, A24 booked the movie in theaters over the holiday season as there’s always room for a hard-R play at the Christmas time box office.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 13 Mar. 2025
The high point of the Rhineland region carnival season, is its parades showcasing bawdy political satire.
—Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bawdy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bawdy
Adjective
-
After the man told the boy to get out of the road, the juvenile responded with cursing and an obscene gesture, the report said.—
Jim Woods,
Chicago Tribune,
15 May 2025
-
Stop into any local bakery and ask for their specialty, many of which contain obscene amounts of egg yolks.—
Jess Fleming,
Twin Cities,
26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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This bias weakened over time, as the theory came to have more distance from the Trump administration, and more suggestive bits of circumstantial evidence accrued.—
Daniel Engber,
The Atlantic,
20 May 2025
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Jimmy Kimmel flustered guest Pedro Pascal with a suggestive question about Reed Richards' stretchable body parts on Monday's episode of his late-night show.—
Jessica Wang,
EW.com,
25 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
In that sense, the vulgar Vader situation creates a touchy dilemma for Epic Games and Disney, which likely invested substantially in this high-profile collaboration.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
16 May 2025
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Amid the attention, the new pontiff's eldest brother has drawn scrutiny for social media posts praising Trump and using inflammatory, vulgar rhetoric toward Democrats and transgender people.—
Mandy Taheri,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 May 2025
Adjective
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For decor, Pollock says to let bold colors and spicy details bring the flavor.—
Lauren Thomann,
Better Homes & Gardens,
17 May 2025
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Rivera, who was known as spicy cheerleader Santana, accidentally drowned in July 2020, after going missing while boating with Josey, her 4-year-old son.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
16 May 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was brilliant (35 points), and the Thunder defense was nasty.—
Chris Branch,
New York Times,
19 May 2025
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But Laxe’s cadence of death is nasty and arbitrary and delightful.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
18 May 2025
Adjective
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Ketel Marte hit a solo home run around the right-field foul pole.—
Jack Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
10 May 2025
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Four pitches into the game, Willy Adames crushed a hanging 1-2 slider for what appeared to be a solo home run, only for the call to be overturned by replay, the ball swerving just left of the foul pole.—
Dan Hayes,
New York Times,
10 May 2025
Adjective
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Duffy, a former reality show contestant and four-term congressman, comes to the blame game with dirty hands.—
Michael Hiltzik,
Los Angeles Times,
20 May 2025
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Here are just a few of the ways seasoned travelers use a pillowcase on the go: Laundry bag: Keep sweaty clothes or dirty socks separate from the rest of your stuff—no need for plastic grocery bags or hotel laundry sacks.—
Alesandra Dubin,
Southern Living,
20 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bawdy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bawdy. Accessed 27 May. 2025.
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