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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in disgusting
causing intense displeasure, disgust, or resentment
that ugly new store is really an obscene bit of architecture
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of obscene
For example, the state can rightly regulate defamatory statements or obscene material.
—
Timothy R. Holbrook, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 2025
Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce was docked $14,491 for making an obscene gesture after a big catch.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 21 Sep. 2025
Other users called her obscene names, threatened to show up at her workplace, or sent her a photograph of guns.
—Quinn Clark, jsonline.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Clothing must not feature offensive language, obscene gestures/graphics, or nudity or clothing that does not sufficiently cover undergarments.
—Sarah Moore, Freep.com, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obscene
Timothy R. Holbrook, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 2025
Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce was docked $14,491 for making an obscene gesture after a big catch.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 21 Sep. 2025
Other users called her obscene names, threatened to show up at her workplace, or sent her a photograph of guns.
—Quinn Clark, jsonline.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Clothing must not feature offensive language, obscene gestures/graphics, or nudity or clothing that does not sufficiently cover undergarments.
—Sarah Moore, Freep.com, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obscene
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obscene
Adjective
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Some states have instituted requirements for websites with adult or pornographic content to verify visitors' age before granting access, although tech experts have pointed out VPNs can be used to get around those guardrails.—
Arpan Lobo,
Freep.com,
4 Oct. 2025
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Like its more famous cousin from Willendorf, the depicted woman looks less like a person than like a pornographic composite of breasts, hips, and labia.—
Harmon Siegel,
Artforum,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Add in moisture and soap scum, and kitchen sinks can get pretty disgusting.—
Halee Miller Van Ryswyk,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 Oct. 2025
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In Johnston’s reimagining, Jim and Credenza Twit operate the most disgusting, dangerous, and idiotic amusement park in the world, Twitlandia.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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A day before a shooter killed four people and set fire to a church in Michigan, students at a football game in Colorado chanted vulgar anti-Mormon slurs against the same religious organization.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
4 Oct. 2025
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Colorado has condemned a vulgar chant its fans directed at BYU during its football team’s 24-21 loss Saturday at Folsom Field.—
David Ubben,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Like Mitchell, Estrada has a knack for softening the sharp edges of our emotions and finding beauty in our ugly truths.—
Cat Cardenas,
Rolling Stone,
13 Oct. 2025
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The results were … predictably ugly for the Warriors.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Other signs to look for are floating debris, rust, mildew, or foul odors.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
11 Oct. 2025
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The second-year coach appeared to be confused after the foul call before exiting the court and heading into the locker room tunnel.—
Jacob Lev,
CNN Money,
11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Apparently, Canadians are very pissed off at us and don't feel like visiting and spending their money here, which is awful because there are so many businesses that rely upon Canadians and tourists from other countries.—
Hugh Cameron,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Oct. 2025
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The cold was awful, but the rain that was predicted never came.—
Mariana Enriquez
October 2,
Literary Hub,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Removing Stains From Wood Cabinets Food, beverages, and dirty hands can leave nasty stains behind, even after cleaning.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
10 Oct. 2025
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The overriding question should be will the Texas line figure out how to protect QB Arch Manning from OU’s nasty front four?—
Matt Hayes,
USA TODAY,
10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Just a sickening day for Jameson Williams’ managers.—
Michael Salfino,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
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Those recalls were the major change in Friday’s FDA update on the outbreak, credited with sickening 20 people and killing four, one of which was a fetus, over 15 states.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
5 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Obscene.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obscene. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.
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