profanity

noun

prō-ˈfa-nə-tē How to pronounce profanity (audio)
Definition of profanitynext
1
as in curse
a disrespectful or indecent word or expression a rap song that is filled with profanities

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in vulgarity
the quality or state of being obscene once notorious for its profanity, that 1950s best seller will strike today's readers as lamentably tame

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 profanity The Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations described the threats as two profanity-laced, threatening audio messages left for the center. — Paula Wethington, CBS News, 30 June 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 Now, if that fan crosses the line with death threats and extreme profanity, by all means, kick them out of the ballpark. — Geoff Clark Outkick, FOXNews.com, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for profanity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for profanity
  1. curse
  2. vulgarity
  3. language
  4. grossness
  5. swear
  6. obscenity
  7. expletive
  8. crudeness
Noun
  • King portrays her older daughter, Kylie, who sets out to break the family’s curse, and Williams steps into the shoes of the younger daughter, Antonia.
    — Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 3 Aug. 2026
  • But the Owens family’s 300-year-old curse carries one generation forward, striking Sally’s daughter Kylie and her lover (Xolo Maridueña), who gets hit by a car while bicycling with several bouquets of roses.
    — Angelique Jackson, Variety, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of curse
Noun
  • The once-vaunted values of public life are now reduced to the lower standards of private life—venality, vulgarity, rudeness, incontinence, and ignorance.
    — Simon Sebag Montefiore, The Atlantic, 28 June 2026
  • Benoit delights in language as much as her heroine, weaving Regency-era slang throughout and appending a chapter-by-chapter glossary of vulgarities.
    — Angelina Mazza, Vulture, 19 June 2026
Definition of vulgarity
Noun
  • Speaking to Radio Jornalera NJ, an independent Spanish language media outlet, Lopez-Cornejo’s mother, María, said her son took medication for diabetes, high blood pressure, and seizures.
    — Alex Stambaugh, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026
  • That language was taken from an earlier regulatory proposal that went before a Quorum Court committee, the Kutak Rock attorney noted.
    — Joseph Flaherty, Arkansas Online, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of language
Noun
  • All your Dad has to do is fill it and drink—the microfilter membrane will do the rest by removing chlorine odors, dirt, bacteria, and any other grossness floating around in there.
    — Francesca Krempa, Travel + Leisure, 11 June 2026
  • There are no great surprises from here on out, though the sheer, lusty grossness of the fallout is occasionally startling.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 16 Apr. 2026
Definition of grossness
Noun
  • The pinky swear proved binding, as Nelson wrote the screenplay within six weeks.
    — William Earl, Variety, 15 July 2026
  • Why fill with swears a show that might otherwise have been appointment viewing for the whole family?
    — Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 31 May 2026
Definition of swear
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 obscenity
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 expletive
Noun
  • There’s some rudeness, aggressive conversations, and crudeness, but nothing too over the top.
    — Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 4 Aug. 2025
Definition of crudeness

Browse Nearby Words

profanities
profanity
profess
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Profanity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/profanity. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on profanity

Nglish: Translation of profanity for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

How long is a jiffy?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All