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
Relevance
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
Only men were gibbeted, as it was thought to be indecent to display a woman’s body in such a grotesque manner.
—
Tara Ramanathan, Encyclopedia Britannica, 25 Mar. 2026
This comment was not just indecent.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2026
West pleaded guilty in 2000 to five counts of taking indecent liberties with children and was released from state custody in 2006, the (Raleigh) News & Observer reported in 2012 when West stepped down as an alternate delegate to the Republican National Convention over revelations about his past.
—Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 16 Mar. 2026
Last year, Morris pleaded guilty to five counts of lewd and indecent acts with a child, and Schott’s pastoral lineage became something of a liability.
—Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 15 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for indecent
Tara Ramanathan, Encyclopedia Britannica, 25 Mar. 2026
This comment was not just indecent.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2026
West pleaded guilty in 2000 to five counts of taking indecent liberties with children and was released from state custody in 2006, the (Raleigh) News & Observer reported in 2012 when West stepped down as an alternate delegate to the Republican National Convention over revelations about his past.
—Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 16 Mar. 2026
Last year, Morris pleaded guilty to five counts of lewd and indecent acts with a child, and Schott’s pastoral lineage became something of a liability.
—Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 15 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for indecent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for indecent
Adjective
-
Weapon violations dropped more than 13%, and crimes involving pornography or obscene material were down more than 23%, according to the report.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Do better, or consider hiring people who paint a vivid enough picture with words rather than having to lean on photographers who seem to have an obscene bloodlust.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
4 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
This material included thousands of pornographic deepfakes that Kamnik had generated using AI tools.—
Nate Anderson,
ArsTechnica,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Police are investigating reports that Lake Zurich High School students used artificial intelligence to generate pornographic images of classmates, district officials said.—
Joseph States,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The word was considered so vulgar that it was left out of early dictionaries and was rarely printed, though Adams says people were certainly using it.—
Harmeet Kaur,
CNN Money,
8 Apr. 2026
-
One day, Dahlstrom made a vulgar joke in a lunchroom referencing oral sex and pubic hair, according to the employee.—
Nick Ferraro,
Twin Cities,
4 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Shaw lined out to right field, Bregman popped out into foul territory and, after Ian Happ was intentionally walked, Seiya Suzuki also popped out in foul territory to end the game.—
Andy Martinez,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Playing first base, he was booed for dropping a foul pop-up, then made a catch on a similar ball.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Bisontis’ pass-protection profile doesn’t need a publicist, but his ceiling depends on how much nastier and more consistent the run-blocking becomes.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Andoni Iraola’s side is nasty to play against.—
Jackie Powell,
NBC news,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Indecent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/indecent. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
