GROSSEST Synonyms: 519 Similar and Opposite Words | Merriam-Webster Thesaurus

gross 1 of 3

adjective

ˈgrōs

Definition of gross next

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1

as in obscene

depicting or referring to sexual matters in a way that is unacceptable in polite society he was thrown out of class for making a gross gesture

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2

as in plump

having an excess of body fat a very gross cat trying to squeeze through a small opening in the fence

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3

as in crass

lacking in refinement or good taste she haughtily refused to mix with what she called "the gross masses who are unappreciative of fine art"

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

4

as in blatant

very noticeable especially for being incorrect or bad a gross mistake that some proofreader should have caught

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

5

as in disgusting

causing intense displeasure, disgust, or resentment the little boy insisted that worms are gross

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

gross

2 of 3

noun

1

as in total

Related Words

2

as in revenue

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Dissimilar Words

gross

3 of 3

verb

as in to net

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Dissimilar Words

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

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

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

What’s the grossest bodega order? —

Zach Schiffman, Curbed, 10 Apr. 2026 That program requires participating owners to share 55% of gross revenue, plus $180 a day and taxes, according to the lawsuit. —

Larry Seward, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2026

Noun

Forbes magazine reported that production costs for the latter film ballooned to more than $370 million, but its worldwide gross was a relatively paltry $206 million. —

René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 Mar. 2026 The animation film made $46 million domestically and $42 million internationally for a total worldwide gross of $88 million. —

Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 9 Mar. 2026

Verb

And, as of Tuesday (Feb. 17), the film has grossed $38 million domestically and $22.8 million internationally for a worldwide tally of $60.8 million. —

Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 18 Feb. 2026 The descriptions of dead bodies on the true crime podcasts gross me out, but to see it in person is something else entirely. —

Danielle Parker, CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for gross

Recent Examples of Synonyms for gross

Adjective

The incident was captured on the broadcast, and after the game, Duran explained that his obscene gesture was in response to a fan crossing the line.

— Paulina Dedaj, FOXNews.com, 15 Apr. 2026
The most common crime investigated by the unit was the distribution of obscene material depicting minors, followed by elder abuse and rape.

— Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 14 Apr. 2026

Definition of obscene

Browse Nearby Words

groping

gross

grossed

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Gross.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gross. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.

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