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
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Recent Examples of profanities
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
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
-
The source of a zombie outbreak can come from anywhere, including ancient curses and meteorites from space.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
17 Oct. 2025
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That mindset leads to no shortage of delightfully blasé supernatural adventures rife with magic and curses.—
Abby Monteil,
Them.,
15 Oct. 2025
Noun
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In September, he’d been convicted of indecent exposure (and using obscenities) after allegedly exposing himself during a Miami concert.—
David Kushner,
Rolling Stone,
20 Oct. 2025
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Those exceptions include true threats, defamation, harassment and obscenities.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
15 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The expletives aired uncensored during the NBC live telecast and Peacock’s simulcast but were muted during the West Coast broadcast and in versions later posted online, including on YouTube, according to the New York Post.—
Mitchell Peters,
Billboard,
19 Oct. 2025
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There will be plenty for both returning fans and those who are entering the ludus (gladiator school) for the first time, including the intrigue, battle scenes, deception and lots of Jupiter’s expletives, all of which made the original series a hit for Starz.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
13 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
23 Oct. 2025
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Markets overflow with mixed currencies; multiple languages echo in the streets.—
Isa Cardona,
CNN Money,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Profanities.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/profanities. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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