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Synonym Chooser

How is the word obscene different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of obscene are coarse, gross, ribald, and vulgar. While all these words mean "offensive to good taste or morals," 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 might coarse be a better fit than obscene?

While the synonyms coarse and obscene are close in meaning, coarse implies roughness, rudeness, or crudeness of spirit, behavior, or language.

found the coarse humor of coworkers offensive

When is gross a more appropriate choice than obscene?

The words gross and obscene can be used in similar contexts, but gross implies extreme coarseness and insensitiveness.

gross eating habits

When would ribald be a good substitute for obscene?

The words ribald and obscene are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, ribald applies to what is amusingly or picturesquely vulgar or irreverent or mildly indecent.

entertained the campers with ribald folk songs

In what contexts can vulgar take the place of obscene?

The synonyms vulgar and obscene are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 obscene The investigation began when detectives with the Sheriff’s Office Special Victims Unit served a search warrant in Bakersfield based on a tip about a person who was in possession and used obscene material involving an underage girl, authorities announced in a news release on Tuesday. Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2025 With his plea, a federal indictment relating to transfer of obscene material to a minor would not be pursued. Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 5 May 2025 This social justice kitsch becomes a mildly obscene evocation of racial terrorism. Armond White, National Review, 18 Apr. 2025 Fifteen years after her husband’s drowning in the nearby bay, Tressilian’s days are spent in a cranky routine: grumbling over the obscene resort stationed on the opposite bluff, reading London’s gossip columns, and summoning the household help with the insistent ringing of a bedroom call bell. Erik Morse, Vogue, 15 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for obscene
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obscene
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
Adjective
  • In that sense, the vulgar Vader situation creates a touchy dilemma for Epic Games and Disney, which likely invested substantially in this high-profile collaboration.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 16 May 2025
  • Amid the attention, the new pontiff's eldest brother has drawn scrutiny for social media posts praising Trump and using inflammatory, vulgar rhetoric toward Democrats and transgender people.
    Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2025
Adjective
  • The series between the Warriors and the Rockets was slow, low scoring, and ugly—which is exactly how the younger, less experienced Rockets wanted it.
    Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 11 May 2025
  • This wasn’t the first time Green was subjected to ugly behavior from opposing fans.
    Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 10 May 2025
Adjective
  • Four pitches into the game, Willy Adames crushed a hanging 1-2 slider for what appeared to be a solo home run, only for the call to be overturned by replay, the ball swerving just left of the foul pole.
    Dan Hayes, New York Times, 10 May 2025
  • Ketel Marte hit a solo home run around the right-field foul pole.
    Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2025
Adjective
  • The downsides are that DEET smells awful, is oily, and can damage anything with plastic in it, like synthetic clothing and camping gear.
    Kristin Canning, Wired News, 21 May 2025
  • The name itself isn’t awful, but actions have consequences.
    James Mirtle, New York Times, 20 May 2025
Adjective
  • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was brilliant (35 points), and the Thunder defense was nasty.
    Chris Branch, New York Times, 19 May 2025
  • But Laxe’s cadence of death is nasty and arbitrary and delightful.
    Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2025
Adjective
  • But the defense is hoping to cast her recollections merely as sickening details in a deranged love story between two consenting and jealous adults.
    Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 17 May 2025
  • For years, raw sewage from Mexico has poured across the border into Southern California, fouling beaches, sickening residents and sparking diplomatic as well as environmental concerns.
    Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 May 2025
Adjective
  • At least 12 outside experts submitted testimony in what’s called the Dunsmore case, finding that San Diego jails are filthy and that workers regularly fail to follow best practices or department policies.
    Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 May 2025
  • So The Righteous Gemstones went with the sentimental ending — or at least what counts for a sentimental ending in a series so committed to the filthiest possible turns of phrase.
    Scott Tobias, Vulture, 5 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Obscene.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obscene. Accessed 25 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on obscene

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