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gross

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noun

gross

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verb

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of gross are coarse, obscene, ribald, and vulgar. While all these words mean "offensive to good taste or morals," gross implies extreme coarseness and insensitiveness.

gross eating habits

When can coarse be used instead of gross?

The synonyms coarse and gross are sometimes interchangeable, but coarse implies roughness, rudeness, or crudeness of spirit, behavior, or language.

found the coarse humor of coworkers offensive

Where would obscene be a reasonable alternative to gross?

Although the words obscene and gross have much in common, obscene applies to anything strongly repulsive to the sense of decency and propriety especially in sexual matters.

obscene language not allowed on the air

When could ribald be used to replace gross?

The meanings of ribald and gross 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 is it sensible to use vulgar instead of gross?

While in some cases nearly identical to gross, 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 gross
Adjective
The gonzo follow-up to Cregger's 2022 breakout, Barbarian, still trails both of the year's other big horror successes in terms of overall gross. Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 1 Sep. 2025 Its domestic gross should stand at just over $80 million, and its global haul will hit $130 million through Labor Day. Brent Lang, Variety, 31 Aug. 2025
Noun
Worldwide, the movie grossed $77 million, and later more than $100 million in DVD — or more likely, VHS — sales. Mekishana Pierre, EW.com, 20 Aug. 2025 In 2005, the movie — Apatow’s directorial debut and Carell’s first starring role — grossed over $177 million at the box office. Victoria Edel, People.com, 18 Aug. 2025
Verb
The company posted a net loss of $26 million, down 200% from a net income of $26 million for the second quarter of 2024, along with a 12% decrease in gross profit with millions in debt obligations. Luke Fountain, CNBC, 11 Sep. 2025 The Napa County Sheriff’s Office released the names Tuesday, hours after Napa County prosecutors charged Norberto (Beto) Celerino, 53, with six counts each of murder and gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated. The Press Democrat, Mercury News, 10 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for gross
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gross
Adjective
  • Clothing must not feature offensive language, obscene gestures/graphics, or nudity or clothing that does not sufficiently cover undergarments.
    Sarah Moore, Freep.com, 9 Sep. 2025
  • The store supplied her with bondage pants, kilts, and T-shirts printed with obscene illustrations.
    Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The formula gets bonus points for not feeling sticky, not traveling or feathering, and smoothing out lip lines for a plump, pouty effect.
    Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
  • The prickly pear extract soothe irration and the brand’s signature VIP O2 complex evens your skin tone and hydrates without any tightness, leaving your face plump, clean, and ready for anything.
    Tanya Akim, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Edwards, along with protesting comrade Tom Hopper (Raife Hastings) and crass CIA contractor Jules Landry (Luke Hemsworth) join a secret CIA unit fighting terrorism in Europe.
    Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2025
  • Liverpool fans know how hurtful crass chants can be.
    Simon Hughes, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Other derision of Lilith Fair artists was more blatant.
    Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 12 Sep. 2025
  • But Moss was blatant — quite blatant — about owning a bad day, and went about his offseason with a purpose.
    Luca Evans, Denver Post, 12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • This behavior is disgusting and they should be fired.
    Zach LaChance, The Washington Examiner, 13 Sep. 2025
  • And yet … those conversations are also entertainingly provocative, and they’re accompanied by some of the scariest and most disgusting scenes the series has delivered up to now.
    Noel Murray, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Nate Bargatze’s running total for the Boys & Girls Clubs started at $100,000 and sank embarrassingly into negative territory as winners ran long.
    Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
  • But in total, 475 people, mostly Korean nationals, were arrested, suspected of living and working in the US illegally.
    Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Cracker Barrel, however, pointed to improving revenue growth in 2025 in an interview with Fortune.
    Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 18 Sep. 2025
  • However, the passenger projections and the revenues the bullet train would supposedly collect were pure fantasy, verging on fraud.
    Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Allie Lanciani netted four goals as North Reading shut out Manchester-Essex 5-0.
    Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 17 Sep. 2025
  • Some of ChatGPT's suggestions were practical, like checking for unclaimed money, which netted her $700 from her LLC, but others were much more bizarre.
    Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 16 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Gross.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gross. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.

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