Synonyms of obscenity

obscenity

noun

äb-ˈse-nə-tē 

1

as in vulgarity

the quality or state of being obscene

the song couldn't be performed on the air due to the obscenity of the lyrics

Synonyms & Similar Words

• vulgarity
• grossness
• suggestiveness
• crudeness
• foulness
• indecency
• lewdness
• coarseness
• profanity
• filth
• ribaldry
• crudity
• dirtiness
• bawdiness
• smut
• lasciviousness
• impurity
• offensiveness
• filthiness
• abusiveness
• nastiness
• raunchiness
• raunch
• wantonness
• blueness
• distastefulness
• lowness
• dirt
• atrocity
• smuttiness
• broadness
• naughtiness
• perversity
• impureness
• indelicacy
• unacceptability
• undesirability
• perversion
• immodesty
• raciness
• wickedness
• earthiness
• depravity
• lechery
• unpleasantness
• perverseness
• saltiness
• reprehensibility
• obnoxiousness
• repugnance
• infamy
• repulsiveness
• loathsomeness
• kinkiness
• gaminess
• unbecomingness
• repellency
• indecorousness
• objectionableness
• depravedness
• pervertedness
• exceptionability
• indelicateness
• reprehensibleness
• scurrilousness
• atrociousness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• prudery
• puritanism
• prudishness
• priggishness
• decency
• correctness
• primness
• decorum
• appropriateness
• suitability
• seemliness
• purity
• fitness
• perfection
• priggery
• suitableness
• decorousness
• spotlessness

2

as in curse

a disrespectful or indecent word or expression

uttered a loud obscenity when he dropped the hammer on his toe

Synonyms & Similar Words

• curse
• swear
• profanity
• language
• vulgarism
• expletive
• epithet
• cuss
• dirty word
• swearword
• cussword
• scurrility
• name
• bawdry
• four-letter word
• imprecation
• malediction
• execration
• oath

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of obscenity

Publishers censored themselves, fearing prosecution for publishing obscenity or controversial material. — Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2026

My main point is not just that there's lots of obscenity in both, but also lots of poetics in both. — ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026

Now, as some have noted, there are Supreme Court precedents that have already held that broadcasters don’t have complete free speech rights around things like, for example, obscenity. — New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 24 Aug. 2026

The obscenity charges stemmed from performances at The Troubadour nightclub on Santa Monica Boulevard and The Unicorn coffeehouse on the Sunset Strip. — Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 2026