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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
Noun
Well, big weekly grosses and even bigger stars can’t guarantee a Tony Awards nomination. Greg Evans, Deadline, 1 May 2025 The production broke Broadway box office records, making $2.8 million in one week of previews, the highest weekly gross for a Broadway play. Sharareh Drury, People.com, 1 May 2025
Verb
The film grossed $42.2 million during its opening weekend on March 21. Jenna Dejong, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 May 2025 Today, a global superstar like Taylor Swift, whose Eras Tour became the first tour in history to gross over $1 billion, would likely command an even higher premium for a similar deal. Azeem Khan, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for gross
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gross
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
  • The selection of works indeed revealed a preference for male subjects unique in a movement typically associated with fetching representations of young women in sun-dappled gowns and bonnets and plump, rose-cheeked children.
    James Meyer, Artforum, 1 May 2025
  • The brand’s Hyaluronic Rose Complex includes Damascus rosewater and 11 types of hyaluronic acid to nourish skin, as well as niacinamide, working to improve the appearance of skin texture and minimize pores, plus plump and firm.
    Celia Shatzman, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Related Articles Dear Abby: Is there a way to tell the crass shirttail relations that they’re not invited?
    Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 10 May 2025
  • Grand Theft Auto is famous for its crass, satirical sense of humor.
    Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 6 May 2025
Adjective
  • Questions about the practice were exacerbated by litigants’ blatant forum shopping, filing lawsuits in liberal areas when seeking to block Republican Presidents and in conservative jurisdictions to challenge the policies of Democratic Presidents.
    Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 17 May 2025
  • Since the time of de Blasio’s blatant pilfering, in September 2019, prices have risen 25% (actually 24.94% according to the Consumer Price Index) so an equal amount in interest should have been assessed against him.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 15 May 2025
Adjective
  • Police call fake GoFundMe page 'disgusting' Concord Police Capt. Brian Goldman said police are investigating.
    Norman Miller, USA Today, 7 May 2025
  • But where was the anger from Erik Spoelstra in his post-game news conference about this disgusting performance?
    Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 30 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Raleigh is this summer's cheapest destination for a total of $1,036, followed closely by Jacksonville, Florida, at $1,044.
    Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 13 May 2025
  • Additionally, Queen Bey has now played more shows at SoFi Stadium than any other artist in the venue’s history, with a total of eight, counting 2023’s RENAISSANCE tour.
    DeMicia Inman, VIBE.com, 13 May 2025
Noun
  • Contra Home Depot, whose first-quarter earnings fell just below analyst expectations despite beating revenue projections, according to FactSet, reported the company will hold onto its forecast for full-year sales.
    Ty Roush, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
  • Moody’s Ratings said problematic debt levels far outpacing government revenue led to the downgrade.
    Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 20 May 2025
Verb
  • Use fine tree or garden netting with holes that are no larger than ¼-inch.
    Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 9 May 2025
  • The Egyptian, now up to fifth on the Premier League era’s scoring chart with 185, has never netted a free kick for Liverpool and is on an unfortunate run of 17 unsuccessful strikes at goal from them in the top flight.
    Gregg Evans, New York Times, 8 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Gross.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gross. Accessed 24 May. 2025.

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