1
as in curse
a disrespectful or indecent word or expression
a rap song that is filled with profanities
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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.
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Recent Examples of profanity
Davidson claims that he was told before the show that any profanity would be excluded, and expressed surprise that a broadcast partner that has previously covered his condition extensively was not better prepared for potential incidents.
—
Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 24 Feb. 2026
Davidson also shouted out other insults and profanity during the evening, according to Variety.
—Anastasia Tsioulcas, NPR, 23 Feb. 2026
During the show, Davidson shouted profanity multiple times, including one directed at BAFTA chair Sara Putt, during her introduction to the ceremony, The Hollywood Reporter said.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 23 Feb. 2026
Stern would have thrown in quite a few pieces of profanity at Marks.
—Zach Harper, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for profanity
Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 24 Feb. 2026
Davidson also shouted out other insults and profanity during the evening, according to Variety.
—Anastasia Tsioulcas, NPR, 23 Feb. 2026
During the show, Davidson shouted profanity multiple times, including one directed at BAFTA chair Sara Putt, during her introduction to the ceremony, The Hollywood Reporter said.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 23 Feb. 2026
Stern would have thrown in quite a few pieces of profanity at Marks.
—Zach Harper, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for profanity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for profanity
Noun
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For Ukraine, the war has been a curse – a curse to survive and adapt long enough to spare Europe’s borders from Russia’s forces and absolve its allies from springing into greater action.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
24 Feb. 2026
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Indeed, various curses and slurs could be heard shouted from the audience at London's Royal Festival Hall, even during some segments broadcast to audiences in England and abroad.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 Feb. 2026
Noun
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One of Lamont’s unacknowledged strengths is his public composure and innate courtesy in an era when escalating vulgarity in politics shows an ugly American face to us and the world.—
Kevin Rennie,
Hartford Courant,
7 Feb. 2026
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Hungerstone is a delicious tribute to the inherent horrors of womanhood and the desperate and exquisite vulgarity of desire.—
Gabrielle Bellot,
Literary Hub,
2 Feb. 2026
Noun
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His critics might say such language is a disgrace to the presidency.—
Cal Thomas,
Arkansas Online,
24 Feb. 2026
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Speaking with Spanish language sports publication Diario Deportivo Diez the day after the Honduran club football’s worst defeat in CONCACAF, Bubara lauded LAFC for the 6-1 destruction.—
Josh Gross,
Daily News,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
He is charged with open and lewd grossness.—
Flint McColgan,
Boston Herald,
24 Oct. 2025
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In fact, plenty of other things in your home surpass the toilet in terms of grossness.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Kennedy could be heard hurling swears at the Swedish team.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
23 Feb. 2026
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And Boring would be that much closer to its 90,000-rider pinkie-swear.—
Pat Beall,
Sun Sentinel,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Parents should be prepared to turn the channel or cover their children’s eyes and ears so they are not exposed to these obscenities.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Feb. 2026
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And where no parent could sit their kids within 15 feet of the Nuggets’ bench without hearing a torrent of Moe obscenities.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Davidson’s expletives have dominated what should have been a terrific night for Studiocanal’s I Swear, which pulled a surprise in the shape of Robert Aramayo winning best actor over the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio and Timothée Chalamet.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
24 Feb. 2026
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Alan Cumming briefly paused Sunday's BAFTA Film Awards on two separate occasions to address the expletives and racial slur that Tourette's syndrome advocate John Davidson yelled during the telecast, according to reports.—
Pamela Avila,
USA Today,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
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There’s some rudeness, aggressive conversations, and crudeness, but nothing too over the top.—
Lynnette Nicholas,
Parents,
4 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Profanity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/profanity. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.
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