1
2
3
4
5
6

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 The negro cloth was often coarse, durable fabric given to slaves to makeshift clothing out of. Cierra Black, Essence, 9 July 2025 Simply sprinkle coarse salt over the surface of the cutting board and use the lemon half to scrub it in. Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 7 July 2025 Covering the soil with a ½ inch of coarse sand or fine gravel can also discourage egg laying. Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 30 July 2025 The attachment comes with four ice molds, an ice cup, and two different shaving blades (fine and coarse) that attach to the cup. Mark Marino, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for coarse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for coarse
Adjective
  • Her choice to respond by telling me to 'shut the f*** up' and to 'calm my p*****' was vulgar, dismissive and escalated the issue entirely.
    Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Aug. 2025
  • As deadly wildfires raged across Southern California in January, a Los Angeles city official lamented to the city council and others how they were forced to listen to hateful, vulgar language from some members of the public.
    BrieAnna J. Frank, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Part of that obscene number is the Never Say Die Ladies Turf Sprint.
    Danny Brewer, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
  • Brooklyn prosecutors charged him with misdemeanor assault, as well as menacing, reckless endangerment, possession of obscene material, interference with a professional sporting event, weapons possession and other charges, officials said.
    Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 21 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • For most of his first 10 songs, Costello’s singing was ragged and hoarse.
    George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 June 2025
  • Screamed himself hoarse and still tried calling for his brother.
    Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 June 2025
Adjective
  • The cast rattles off the snappy dialogue, jagged with tension and menace, in performances that wink just slyly enough at the wry, knowing way that the characters deploy—and embody—gangland stereotypes.
    Richard Brody, New Yorker, 28 Aug. 2025
  • Featuring pointed ears, jagged teeth and a mischievous grin, the rabbit-ish toy is flying off store shelves around the world and being collected by celebrities including Rihanna, Kim Kardashian and Lisa from the K-pop group Blackpink.
    Yue Wang, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The White House disputes the prediction, arguing the Congressional Budget Office is a poor predictor of outcomes.
    Jessie Opoien, jsonline.com, 29 Aug. 2025
  • While poor earnings could send tech stocks down momentarily, the S&P 500 has yielded returns in most years since its inception.
    Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • At the tip of the Bataan Peninsula in the Philippines, flanked by sandy beaches and palm trees, lies a giant concrete dome.
    Alex Alfirraz Scheers, semafor.com, 28 Aug. 2025
  • In the middle of it all is a vast pool which looks like a large lake as it is seamlessly set into the ground and laps onto a sandy beach where pink flamingos gather.
    Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Liverpool fans know how hurtful crass chants can be.
    Simon Hughes, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2025
  • The tone has been combative, crass, and what’s been defended as fighting fire with fire.
    Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 19 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The central quartet of friends have a supportive connection underneath all their hormones and egos — Elba proves a standout as the gruff but warm defacto leader — that makes their bloody and sexed-up misadventures oddly wholesome.
    Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 13 Aug. 2025
  • Dougal MacKenzie loves a good prank — and so do the actors who play the gruff Highland Scot.
    Maureen Lee Lenker Published, EW.com, 25 July 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Coarse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/coarse. Accessed 2 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on coarse

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!