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
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of obscenity
In one of the incidents, someone spray painted an obscenity believed to be directed at Musk before being chased away by a security guard, according to a Loveland police affidavit.
—
Colleen Slevin, The Denver Post, 28 Feb. 2025
Was it manager Ruud van Nistelrooy mouthing obscenities at his players (and apologies to the lipreaders among you for the gif at the top of today’s TAFC)?
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
Yet the movie also contains, by my count, more than a dozen significant obscenities, as well as enough death to scar the Bluey crowd for life.
—Graham Hillard, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 21 Mar. 2025
Before some of you Jets fans direct obscenities in my direction, hear me out for a minute.
—Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obscenity
Colleen Slevin, The Denver Post, 28 Feb. 2025
Was it manager Ruud van Nistelrooy mouthing obscenities at his players (and apologies to the lipreaders among you for the gif at the top of today’s TAFC)?
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
Yet the movie also contains, by my count, more than a dozen significant obscenities, as well as enough death to scar the Bluey crowd for life.
—Graham Hillard, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 21 Mar. 2025
Before some of you Jets fans direct obscenities in my direction, hear me out for a minute.
—Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obscenity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obscenity
Noun
-
Eli doesn’t flinch at their graphic vulgarity but smiles warmly and appreciatively, as only John Goodman can smile.—
Scott Tobias,
Vulture,
5 May 2025
-
His video streams are peppered with expletives, vulgarities and other language that many have disavowed in the name of political correctness.—
Jack Crosbie,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The following list contains killer robots, talking cats, deadly curses and period crime dramas.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2025
-
The 18-inch model leaves a cavernous space beneath the bed that can accommodate several tote-style storage containers—which could be a blessing or a curse depending on the usual state of your bedroom floor.—
Louryn Strampe,
Wired News,
15 May 2025
Noun
-
The word was forbidden in their household and treated like a swear.—
Ariana Yaptangco,
Glamour,
22 Apr. 2025
-
Is this the kind of situation where mild swears seem generally used?—
Stacey Colino,
Time,
1 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Kenyatta gave an even more impassioned appeal, using profanity while trying to portray the bill as part of a sinister plot by the rich to harm the poor.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
16 May 2025
-
Epic Games rapidly deployed a hotfix after players encountered the Sith Lord responding to their comments with profanity and strong language.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
16 May 2025
Noun
-
Police did say what led to the altercation, but sources told TMZ that Saitta and his group had been repeatedly harassing Von and using threatening language.—
Jami Ganz,
New York Daily News,
15 May 2025
-
The more frequent the lucky language, the higher a casino ranked on the list.—
Brittany Anas,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2025
Noun
-
As the Oxford English Dictionary notes, the expression not hardly is considered a vulgarism.—
NR Editors,
National Review,
16 Apr. 2020
-
The British cringed over new American accents, coinages and vulgarisms.—
Time,
Time,
11 June 2019
Noun
-
Justin Robinson, 23, of Meriden was charged Saturday with public indecency, third-degree criminal mischief and disorderly conduct, according to Connecticut State Police.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
4 Mar. 2025
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The spokesperson did not respond to an email from the Statesman about the new indecency bill.—
Rose Evans,
Idaho Statesman,
14 Feb. 2025
Noun
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During an interview with British outlet The Telegraph, Porter described a conversation with Wintour in the months leading up to Styles' cover and referred to the editor-in-chief using an expletive.—
Jay Stahl,
USA Today,
7 May 2025
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During the third quarter of Game 2 against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Lakers’ only win in the series, a clip of Redick laying into the team with expletives during a timeout went viral.—
Jovan Buha,
New York Times,
3 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Obscenity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obscenity. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
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