indecent

adjective

(ˌ)in-ˈdē-sᵊnt How to pronounce indecent (audio)
Definition of indecentnext
as in obscene
depicting or referring to sexual matters in a way that is unacceptable in polite society paintings of nude figures are artistic, not indecent

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 indecent The post garnered nearly 200 comments, mostly calling the meme vulgar and indecent. — Kaitlin McCallum, Hartford Courant, 4 May 2026 Homero Sotero-Ocampo, 41, of the 300 block of Shady Lane, was charged with indecent solicitation of a minor following the Thursday incident, police said. — Clifford Ward, Chicago Tribune, 25 Apr. 2026 According to his community of accusers, Swalwell is irredeemably, thoroughly, and violently indecent. — John Phillips, Oc Register, 13 Apr. 2026 This thing that brings us into the world can so quickly be deemed indecent. — Jennifer Wilson, New Yorker, 12 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for indecent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for indecent
  1. obscene
  2. pornographic
  3. vulgar
  4. foul
  5. nasty
Adjective
  • Jackson then allegedly drove over into another lane and swerved at the victim, while using an obscene hand gesture.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 7 July 2026
  • The obscene pay of CEOs, growing 20 times as fast as workers’ pay last year, and the obscene wealth in the tech world, with money cascading into the hands of greedy billionaires who lack empathy or even noblesse oblige.
    — Maureen Dowd, Mercury News, 4 July 2026
Definition of obscene
Adjective
  • Gibson asked for pornographic images of the minor, and sent photos of himself, according to court documents.
    — Kendrick Calfee June 13, Kansas City Star, 13 June 2026
  • While Washington drags its feet, kids across the nation are being exposed to vile, pornographic images and ads with no meaningful safeguards to prevent it.
    — Rachel del Guidice, FOXNews.com, 10 June 2026
Definition of pornographic
Adjective
  • Sean Goode, a former Canton police sergeant who was working the night of John O'Keefe's death and testified during the first Karen Read trial, allegedly sent dozens of vulgar text messages, according to an independent investigation.
    — Matt Schooley, CBS News, 29 June 2026
  • Others were removed early on for vulgar or inappropriate comments, according to a PGA Tour source with knowledge of the events, with five spectators in total ejected from the tournament with six holes to go.
    — Brody Miller, New York Times, 21 June 2026
Definition of vulgar
Adjective
  • The foul call that wiped out Egypt’s second goal was poised to be a flashpoint moment from this match, particularly if Argentina was in position to come back to win.
    — NBC News, NBC news, 7 July 2026
  • After making all six of his shots and four of his free throws on Friday, Lendeborg was 0 for 4 from the field and missed both of his foul shots in the first half.
    — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 6 July 2026
Definition of foul
Adjective
  • The prettiest man in football landed a nasty elbow to Ireland’s Dara O’ Shea and was justifiably handed a red card.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 July 2026
  • One is the true story of a white, nasty gentleman who had more power than anybody in the United States for longer, and the other is a love story between two gay people at a time when that had to be way, way, way down low.
    — K.J. Yossman, Variety, 7 July 2026
Definition of nasty

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indecent
indecently
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Cite this Entry

“Indecent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/indecent. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on indecent

Nglish: Translation of indecent for Spanish Speakers

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