as in curses
a disrespectful or indecent word or expression
a rap song that is filled with profanities
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 profanities
More people in tactical police vests get inside the vehicle, as an angry crowd forms around it, yelling profanities.
—
Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 29 Oct. 2025
According to a 2020 study in the International Journal of Scientific & Technology Research, the number of profanities in songs on the Billboard Top 100 charts rose from less than 200 per year in 2009 to more than 700 per year in 2018.
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
The Ada County Highway District said in a news release that in addition to profanities and inappropriate gestures, road-work crews have been subject to more dangerous driving behavior, including aggressive actions that have led to more police response — and even to criminal charges.
—Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 3 Sep. 2025
He was seen screaming and shouting profanities as his cameraman attempted to calm him down.
—Natasha Dye, People.com, 25 Aug. 2025
Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 29 Oct. 2025
According to a 2020 study in the International Journal of Scientific & Technology Research, the number of profanities in songs on the Billboard Top 100 charts rose from less than 200 per year in 2009 to more than 700 per year in 2018.
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
The Ada County Highway District said in a news release that in addition to profanities and inappropriate gestures, road-work crews have been subject to more dangerous driving behavior, including aggressive actions that have led to more police response — and even to criminal charges.
—Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 3 Sep. 2025
He was seen screaming and shouting profanities as his cameraman attempted to calm him down.
—Natasha Dye, People.com, 25 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for profanities
Noun
-
With the launch of the Culling Game in the aftermath, 10 colonies from across Japan are transformed into dens of curses as part of a plot orchestrated by the most wicked sorcerer in history, Noritoshi Kamo.—
Nick Romano,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Up ahead, two men argued, their shouts and curses drowning out the hum of a helicopter that circled in the distance.—
Lizz Schumer,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Brown hurled obscenities at the manager and left the building as the fast-food worker screamed in pain, according to the footage.—
Mitch Picasso,
FOXNews.com,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Nineteenth century reformers and religious authorities condemned the circus as an ungodly, drunken spectacle ripe with gender transgressions and obscenities.—
Time,
Time,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Piker went on to make a series of lewd remarks, using expletives to refer to and address former Governor Cuomo.—
Sirena Bergman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Giménez stared and shouted toward Wrobleski, who responded with a series of expletives that set chaos in motion.—
Chandler Rome,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
This is why the delegates translated it into multiple languages immediately and sent copies intended for King Louis XVI of France and King Carlos III of Spain on the first ship bound for Europe on July 8.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
-
The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.—
Nicole Acosta,
PEOPLE,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Profanities.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/profanities. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share