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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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 obscenity
In one entry, the ghost of Lenny Bruce arrives, spelling out obscenities.
—
Shannon Taggart, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2026
One man in dark clothes, with what appeared to be a replica automatic rifle slung over his shoulder, approached a vehicle with an open window and shouted obscenities at the uniformed ICE agent inside it.
—Ronald J. Hansen, AZCentral.com, 26 Jan. 2026
The crowd, rapidly swelling into the hundreds, screamed insults and obscenities at the agents, some of whom shouted back mockingly.
—Jack Brook, Twin Cities, 25 Jan. 2026
Morgan’s subject, Margaret Anderson, was the first person to publish portions of James Joyce’s Ulysses in the United States—and was convicted on obscenity charges as a result.
—Boris Kachka, The Atlantic, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for obscenity
Shannon Taggart, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2026
One man in dark clothes, with what appeared to be a replica automatic rifle slung over his shoulder, approached a vehicle with an open window and shouted obscenities at the uniformed ICE agent inside it.
—Ronald J. Hansen, AZCentral.com, 26 Jan. 2026
The crowd, rapidly swelling into the hundreds, screamed insults and obscenities at the agents, some of whom shouted back mockingly.
—Jack Brook, Twin Cities, 25 Jan. 2026
Morgan’s subject, Margaret Anderson, was the first person to publish portions of James Joyce’s Ulysses in the United States—and was convicted on obscenity charges as a result.
—Boris Kachka, The Atlantic, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for obscenity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obscenity
Noun
-
It is hoped that political ad campaigns would aim to lessen the meanness and divisiveness and vulgarity that have damaged our democracy.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Former President Richard Nixon proved himself no slouch in the vulgarity department after reaching the White House in 1969.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
22 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
For Ukraine, the war has been a curse – a curse to survive and adapt long enough to spare Europe’s borders from Russia’s forces and absolve its allies from springing into greater action.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Indeed, various curses and slurs could be heard shouted from the audience at London's Royal Festival Hall, even during some segments broadcast to audiences in England and abroad.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
But the grossness still blows me away.—
Stephanie Giang-Paunon,
FOXNews.com,
21 Feb. 2026
-
He is charged with open and lewd grossness.—
Flint McColgan,
Boston Herald,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Kennedy could be heard hurling swears at the Swedish team.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
23 Feb. 2026
-
And Boring would be that much closer to its 90,000-rider pinkie-swear.—
Pat Beall,
Sun Sentinel,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The other funnymen of the time—Milton Berle with his lewd suggestiveness, Jackie Gleason with his baleful roar—did the same shtick over and over.—
David Denby,
New Yorker,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Even though a minority of people with Tourette syndrome experience coprolalia, media portrayals of Tourette’s disproportionately focus on outbursts of profanity.—
Rena Zito,
Fortune,
26 Feb. 2026
-
The sound of rubbery squeaking and a few choice profanities emerged from her bedroom.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
There’s some rudeness, aggressive conversations, and crudeness, but nothing too over the top.—
Lynnette Nicholas,
Parents,
4 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
His critics might say such language is a disgrace to the presidency.—
Cal Thomas,
Arkansas Online,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Speaking with Spanish language sports publication Diario Deportivo Diez the day after the Honduran club football’s worst defeat in CONCACAF, Bubara lauded LAFC for the 6-1 destruction.—
Josh Gross,
Daily News,
24 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Obscenity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obscenity. Accessed 1 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
