Synonyms of obscene

obscene

adjective

äb-ˈsēn 

1

as in pornographic

depicting or referring to sexual matters in a way that is unacceptable in polite society

obscene gestures are totally inappropriate in the workplace

Synonyms & Similar Words

• pornographic
• vulgar
• foul
• nasty
• filthy
• gross
• dirty
• indecent
• unacceptable
• crude
• suggestive
• offensive
• disgusting
• lewd
• unpleasant
• obnoxious
• naughty
• lascivious
• blue
• profane
• raunchy
• undesirable
• bawdy
• abusive
• ribald
• trashy
• smutty
• coarse
• unwanted
• impure
• unprintable
• wanton
• locker-room
• X-rated
• stag
• infamous
• broad
• porny
• salacious
• gutter
• wicked
• objectionable
• perverted
• immodest
• scatological
• indecorous
• depraved
• low
• racy
• indelicate
• soft
• repulsive
• perverse
• repugnant
• unbecoming
• loathsome
• revolting
• abhorrent
• risqué
• distasteful
• off
• unwelcome
• earthy
• kinky
• salty
• gamy
• coarse-grained
• reprehensible
• off-color
• barnyard
• exceptionable
• repellent
• scurrilous
• atrocious
• louche
• censurable
• blameworthy
• debasing
• blamable
• hard-core
• soft-core

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• wholesome
• decent
• clean
• puritanical
• prudish
• proper
• correct
• Victorian
• acceptable
• innocuous
• appropriate
• polite
• respectable
• nice
• staid
• prim
• desirable
• decorous
• genteel
• pleasant
• G-rated
• inoffensive
• nonobscene
• priggish
• suitable
• agreeable
• welcome
• pleasing
• pure
• seemly
• becoming
• meet
• perfect
• straitlaced
• fit
• immaculate
• spotless
• endorsed
• approved
• virginal
• sanctioned

2

as in disgusting

causing intense displeasure, disgust, or resentment

that ugly new store is really an obscene bit of architecture

Synonyms & Similar Words

• disgusting
• ugly
• awful
• horrible
• sickening
• hideous
• obnoxious
• shocking
• offensive
• dreadful
• nasty
• unpleasant
• gross
• appalling
• evil
• repulsive
• abominable
• scandalous
• repugnant
• loathsome
• odious
• gruesome
• revolting
• distasteful
• abhorrent
• noxious
• horrid
• horrific
• nauseating
• terrible
• horrendous
• foul
• rancid
• undesirable
• vile
• disturbing
• repellent
• noisome
• fulsome
• nauseous
• objectionable
• hateful
• monstrous
• unwanted
• disagreeable
• horrifying
• heinous
• miserable
• contemptible
• unwholesome
• unspeakable
• detestable
• despicable
• grim
• unhealthy
• lurid
• ghastly
• grisly
• atrocious
• nightmarish
• barbarous
• macabre
• unsavory
• exceptionable
• frightful
• brackish
• sick
• unwelcome
• ungodly
• uncivilized
• execrable
• unholy
• lousy
• hard
• sickly
• unchristian
• upsetting
• dislikable
• distressing
• sickish
• off-putting

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• innocuous
• acceptable
• desirable
• attractive
• inoffensive
• sweet
• pleasant
• delightful
• alluring
• delicious
• appealing
• agreeable
• nice
• pleasurable
• enjoyable
• heavenly
• satisfying
• congenial
• welcome
• luscious
• palatable
• pleasing
• gratifying
• dreamy
• delectable
• felicitous
• inviting
• darling
• dulcet
• savory
• likable
• blessed
• unobjectionable
• unexceptionable
• wholesome
• healthy
• healthful
• salubrious
• salutary
• delightsome
• restorative

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

Recent Examples of obscene

Beside one of those blandly obscene bidets. —Literary Hub, 21 Oct. 2025

But the show avoided an FCC probe as the West Coast delay was censored, and the East Coast broadcast aired after the 6am-10pm window during which obscene content is prohibited on broadcast TV and radio. —Glenn Garner, Deadline, 19 Oct. 2025

Players around the league have been receiving weekly fines for unsportsmanlike conduct, player-safety violations, and obscene gestures. —Cole Sullivan, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025

Prishker previously faced misdemeanor charges of distributing obscene matter for allegedly showing the pictures of his genitals to the woman, as well as a separate incident of showing the pictures to a group of internet personalities filming a video near the border. —City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Oct. 2025