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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 Among the additional counts against Andrew are allegations of making or distributing indecent images of children and possessing extreme pornography. — Jonny Hallam, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026 After the initial accusation, the number of women accusing Watson of indecent acts during massage therapy appointments grew to 24. — Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 25 Aug. 2026 Morris pled guilty last year to charges of indecent conduct with a child and spent 6 months in an Oklahoma jail before being released in March to serve the remainder of his 10-year sentence on probation. — Andrea Lucia, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026 State Farm Arena policy prohibits clothing displaying explicit language, profanity or derogatory characterizations, while the NBA Fan Code of Conduct prohibits obscene or indecent messages on clothing. — Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 17 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for indecent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for indecent
  1. obscene
  2. pornographic
  3. vulgar
  4. foul
  5. nasty
Adjective
  • Last year, after signing a $132 million contract extension with the Pittsburgh Steelers following a trade, he was docked another $26,000 for fighting and making an obscene gesture.
    — Jonathan Jones, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • There was a dog’s leg that had been sewn on near a man’s crotch in a way that seemed like an obscene visual pun.
    — John Phipps, New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of obscene
Adjective
  • The resident is Eugene Horsch, 44, who previously lived there with his late father, pornographic filmmaker and photographer Raymond Horsch.
    — Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Parents of students at Sunset Park Elementary School are stunned following the arrest of a former teacher accused of inappropriately touching students and displaying pornographic images.
    — Anna McAllister, CBS News, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of pornographic
Adjective
  • Perhaps her daughter-in-law is not vulgar but, rather, simple and spontaneous?
    — Meghan O’Gieblyn, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Decide for yourself whether that’s a bold indicator of English football’s superiority over the rest of the world, or a revolting symbol of the bloated and vulgar behemoth that the game has become.
    — Nick Miller, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of vulgar
Adjective
  • Both banged off the Tropicana Field catwalk in foul territory, nullifying the catch made on both of them.
    — Chandler Rome, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2026
  • Peter remembers chicken wings, the foul Lower Manhattan air, and buying an industrial respirator at a hardware store.
    — Stephen Rodrick, Rolling Stone, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of foul
Adjective
  • And then on Sunday, next to Granada’s imposing Alhambra fortress, Kuss — providing there are no nasty surprises — will complete his third Grand Tour in a row.
    — Chris Marshall-Bell, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • In his nasty hands, every canvas was an indictment, a history painting with its gloves off.
    — Jerry Saltz, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of nasty

Browse Nearby Words

indecency
indecent
indecently
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Indecent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/indecent. Accessed 19 Sep. 2026.

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