profanities

noun

plural of profanity
as in curses
a disrespectful or indecent word or expression a rap song that is filled with profanities

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 One is cool, calm, collected, and joyful, while the other spews profanities and insults. — Jon Root Outkick, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026 The crowds ignored the best efforts of the protest leaders to act as disciplinary conductors and reveled in their own playful spontaneity, their slogans and posters heaping colorful profanities on the prime minister. — Asim Ali, Time, 1 Aug. 2026 Barnacle said Arrabaca, who repaired Patriot missile systems in the Army from 2001 to 2005, derided ICE with profanities during his arrest. — ABC News, 21 July 2026 The couple’s relationship began with a friendship bracelet and a podcast shout-out in July 2023, and by September Swift was screaming profanities in support of her new favorite football player. — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 30 June 2026 Skubal was last seen yelling profanities at magic wander Mike Vasil but would nevertheless fit in well in the Sox clubhouse and give Sox fans reason to believe this team can do something in October. — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 28 June 2026 There are faint smudges of pastel crayon on the wall and carved profanities with paint chips revealing the previous cerulean walls. — Ashley Andreou, STAT, 22 June 2026 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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for profanities
  1. curses
  2. obscenities
  3. expletives
  4. languages
Noun
  • The cumulative impression of Alice that the book leaves is of someone moving serenely through life, meeting fond blessings and awful curses both with the same calm equanimity.
    — Ian Penman, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026
  • The woods could be hiding places of witches and sorcerers, disguised as the old and feeble, but capable of summoning wonder and terrors, charms as well as curses.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 July 2026
Definition of curses
Noun
  • Relief pitcher Caleb Ferguson was not happy, shouting obscenities at the umpire and ripping him for his appearance.
    — Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 21 July 2026
  • An original call for service indicated that suspects pulled up to a CBS media vehicle and began shouting racial obscenities at a CBS cameraman who is Black, a law enforcement source said.
    — Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2026
Definition of obscenities
Noun
  • As Hwang and her partner placed the ticket on the car’s windshield and were returning to their vehicle, the vehicle’s owner approached, yelling expletives and ripping the citation to pieces.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 31 July 2026
  • Instead of simply letting the girls enjoy the game, Seattle Storm co-owner Celeste Keaton confronted them and unleashed a string of expletives.
    — Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of expletives
Noun
  • Sadhguru is also a bestselling author whose videos stream in 35 languages on social media.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The Bible is widely read and loved in spite of the fact that most people don’t speak any of the languages in which it was originally written.
    — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of languages

Browse Nearby Words

profaning
profanities
profanity
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Cite this Entry

“Profanities.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/profanities. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on profanities

Nglish: Translation of profanities for Spanish Speakers

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