as in curses
a disrespectful or indecent word or expression
uttered a loud obscenity when he dropped the hammer on his toe
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Recent Examples of obscenities
People throwing cigarette butts against the house, yelling obscenities, playing derogatory music.
—
Madeleine Wright, CBS News, 8 June 2026
While the council remained inside to finish the meeting, including approving a local emergency declaration, police were outside where a small mob gathered, yelling obscenities at the officers.
—Victoria Le, Oc Register, 27 May 2026
Officers, often summoned by principals or teacers, escalated some situations by shouting obscenities or insults.
—Clare Amari, New York Times, 27 May 2026
Richard howled obscenities at three officers who were talking to him through the locked door.
—Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 27 Apr. 2026
After being placed in a government vehicle, Ferreira Borges allegedly kicked, flailed, and screamed obscenities at officers, officials said.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 17 Apr. 2026
But Mulligan was worried that some of the obscenities felt too American.
—Seija Rankin, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2026
Documents state that Ebert returned a few days later to William Yates' house to yell obscenities at his wife and a friend who were sitting outside.
—Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026
Yates family members said Ebert drove up honking his horn and yelling obscenities, during which surveillance footage shows William backed into the driveway to avoid getting hit, throwing a rock at Ebert’s car.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 2 Apr. 2026
Madeleine Wright, CBS News, 8 June 2026
While the council remained inside to finish the meeting, including approving a local emergency declaration, police were outside where a small mob gathered, yelling obscenities at the officers.
—Victoria Le, Oc Register, 27 May 2026
Officers, often summoned by principals or teacers, escalated some situations by shouting obscenities or insults.
—Clare Amari, New York Times, 27 May 2026
Richard howled obscenities at three officers who were talking to him through the locked door.
—Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 27 Apr. 2026
After being placed in a government vehicle, Ferreira Borges allegedly kicked, flailed, and screamed obscenities at officers, officials said.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 17 Apr. 2026
But Mulligan was worried that some of the obscenities felt too American.
—Seija Rankin, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2026
Documents state that Ebert returned a few days later to William Yates' house to yell obscenities at his wife and a friend who were sitting outside.
—Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026
Yates family members said Ebert drove up honking his horn and yelling obscenities, during which surveillance footage shows William backed into the driveway to avoid getting hit, throwing a rock at Ebert’s car.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 2 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obscenities
Noun
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Their greatest gifts are their biggest curses.—
Sam Stone,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
18 June 2026
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Mostly, the show is an eccentric yet seamless mix of black humor and horror, with Wyck trying to convince Loftis that the island’s curses are real.—
Stephen Rodrick,
Rolling Stone,
16 June 2026
Noun
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And profanities featured in roughly 10% of all clauses, used at a rate substantially higher than the same speakers would use while awake.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
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In the video, the man can be heard screaming profanities while holding a baseball bat outside the window before getting out of the car and approaching the couple.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
28 May 2026
Noun
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Videos circulating on social media showed drones repeatedly striking the facility, sending large fireballs upward - and expletives tumbling out of many a Russian mouth.—
Charles Maynes,
NPR,
18 June 2026
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The team has the power to do that, likely fueling his frustration and use of expletives.—
Sean Campbell,
Sacbee.com,
9 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Obscenities.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obscenities. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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