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Synonym Chooser

How is the word coarse different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of coarse are gross, obscene, ribald, and vulgar. While all these words mean "offensive to good taste or morals," coarse implies roughness, rudeness, or crudeness of spirit, behavior, or language.

found the coarse humor of coworkers offensive

When can gross be used instead of coarse?

The words gross and coarse can be used in similar contexts, but gross implies extreme coarseness and insensitiveness.

gross eating habits

When could obscene be used to replace coarse?

While the synonyms obscene and coarse are close in meaning, obscene applies to anything strongly repulsive to the sense of decency and propriety especially in sexual matters.

obscene language not allowed on the air

Where would ribald be a reasonable alternative to coarse?

The meanings of ribald and coarse largely overlap; however, ribald applies to what is amusingly or picturesquely vulgar or irreverent or mildly indecent.

entertained the campers with ribald folk songs

When might vulgar be a better fit than coarse?

The words vulgar and coarse are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, vulgar often implies boorishness or ill-breeding.

a loud vulgar belch

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of coarse Basil salt Finely grind a few dehydrated basil leaves and combine with your favorite coarse salt. Claudia Alarcón, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025 Pulse until mixture is the consistency of a coarse meal. Cathy Thomas, Oc Register, 28 May 2025 Designed to tackle even the coarsest hair, its ceramic blades deliver a clean, smooth shave every time. Iman Balagam, Vogue, 25 May 2025 But even the coarsest humor needs a narrative anchor, a story that keeps viewers meaningfully invested. Lovia Gyarkye, HollywoodReporter, 23 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for coarse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for coarse
Adjective
  • Using vulgar, profane or indecent language in a loud or boisterous manner in the presence of children.
    Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 16 June 2025
  • 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
  • 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
  • But the legal standard for what qualifies as obscene is extremely high.
    Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 June 2025
Adjective
  • Signs someone has swallowed a button battery include: noisy breathing, coughing, drooling, difficulty swallowing, a hoarse voice, vomiting, chest or abdominal pain, and gagging, coughing or choking with eating or drinking.
    Meredith Wilshere, People.com, 8 June 2025
  • But the festive atmosphere dissipated immediately after Mr. Biden, pale and hoarse, shuffled onto the stage in Atlanta and began stumbling through his answers.
    Annie Karni, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • When Squid Game first flung us into its arena of despair, questioning the status quo was the series’ fuel, and its narrative rhythm had the jagged urgency of that initial run of Red Light, Green Light.
    Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 27 June 2025
  • Another photo features a marshal with a long-range precision rifle mounted on a bipod, stationed on jagged ground with dramatic peaks in the backdrop.
    Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 24 June 2025
Adjective
  • The key drivers are BGE’s soaring spending and profits and poor management by PJM Interconnection, the private entity that operates our electric grid.
    Emily Scarr, Baltimore Sun, 29 June 2025
  • Despite having a poor 2024 season that saw the Pirates remove Bednar from the closer role, the right-hander is back to his dominant form.
    Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 June 2025
Adjective
  • In the long-term, seawalls can actually make erosion worse, especially along sandy beaches, where waves crashing against one side of the seawall can scour out sand on the other side.
    Molly Duerig, Miami Herald, 28 June 2025
  • Nestled in nine hectares of lush, landscaped gardens overlooking a long, sandy beach and the shimmering South China Sea, The Westin Resort & Spa Cam Ranh is a haven of tranquility and wellbeing.
    Dominique Fluker, Essence, 28 June 2025
Adjective
  • Most Popular Most Popular Asking Eric: The parents refuse to cut their trip short despite their teen’s crisis Asking Eric: The parents refuse to cut their trip short despite their teen's crisis Dear Abby: Is there a way to tell the crass shirttail relations that they’re not invited?
    Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 10 May 2025
  • But beyond the crass remarks about Read, experts say less explosive messages about Proctor's early opinions of the investigation could be damning.
    Julia Bonavita , Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 3 June 2025
Adjective
  • Eric Bauman, a gruff and tireless political operative who led two of California’s most powerful Democratic organizations before resigning amid misconduct allegations, died Monday.
    Laura J. Nelson, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2025
  • Cross-examination from the defense’s gruff Xavier Donaldson will continue first thing Tuesday when the trial picks up again.
    Dominic Patten, Deadline, 12 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Coarse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/coarse. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.

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