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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 To that point, MSG highlights that both MSG’s ejection policy and the NBA Fan Code of Conduct prohibit disruptive behavior, foul language and obscene gestures. Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 9 June 2025 The obscene cost of healthcare has pushed manufacturers offshore and kept wages stagnant for decades. Ro Khanna, Twin Cities, 12 June 2025 In Tacoma, 35 miles to the south, Ted Bundy grew up near the American Smelting and Refining Co., which disgorged obscene levels of lead and arsenic into the air while netting millions for the Guggenheim dynasty before its 1986 closure. Hamilton Cain, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2025 The charge was lessened to one count of possession of obscene material, and Reubens pled guilty. Erin Jensen, USA Today, 24 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for obscene
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obscene
Adjective
  • First came the disgusting pictures of waters so fouled that they were often compared to rotting guacamole.
    Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 June 2025
  • Republicans seem to try to outdo each other to see who can be the most hateful and disgusting.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 26 June 2025
Adjective
  • Using vulgar, profane or indecent language in a loud or boisterous manner in the presence of children.
    Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 16 June 2025
  • Between 12% and 13.3% of Americans, around 10% of Brits, and 9.4% of Australians used at least one vulgar word in their data.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 15 June 2025
Adjective
  • The pair hit an ugly double-spinebuster on the Arabic announce table.
    Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
  • The wild and ugly scenes saw rioters attack law enforcement with rocks and Molotov cocktails while others burned vehicles and other property.
    Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 28 June 2025
Adjective
  • By the time Wood, the former Padres prospect who went to Washington in 2022 in the trade for Juan Soto, hit a three-run homer that clanged off the right field foul pole in the eighth inning to put the almost-final touch on the Nationals’ 10-6 victory, there was no real overt reaction.
    Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 June 2025
  • Your husband is foul for not calling out her garbage behavior.
    Virginia Chamlee, People.com, 23 June 2025
Adjective
  • What’s more, the Steelers failed to score a first-drive touchdown all season, were awful in the red zone, were awful on first down, and mostly awful in short yardage.
    Tribune Content Agency, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 June 2025
  • Outcomes for what’s referred to as ‘children in care’ remain unacceptably awful.
    Avivah Wittenberg-Cox, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025
Adjective
  • Perhaps not helping so much: The set’s early reviews, which have been mostly fairly nasty in their dismissals of the set.
    Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 25 June 2025
  • Again there are two levels here, and each radically altered the color profile of the onscreen visuals – with the high setting giving everything a nasty green hue.
    Paul Ridden June 25, New Atlas, 25 June 2025
Adjective
  • The portal that allows the players to go from school to school is also sickening.
    Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 9 June 2025
  • The Queens Botanical Garden’s annual Pride event will feature DJ music, after-hours access to the garden and sickening drag performances by Nani Tsunami and Janae SaisQuoi.
    Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 14 June 2025
Adjective
  • The room was filthy, prescription bottles around the room, one bed with no sheets.
    Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 27 June 2025
  • Photograph: Chris Null As anyone who’s ever stuck a cotton swab in there knows, your ear canal is a filthy, disgusting place.
    Christopher Null, Wired News, 22 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Obscene.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obscene. Accessed 7 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on obscene

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