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
The sound of rubbery squeaking and a few choice profanities emerged from her bedroom.
—
Literary Hub, 26 Feb. 2026
As a series of speakers gave remarks—several laced their speeches with profanity and references to Trump’s presence in the Epstein files—a video montage, which included images of Jesse Jackson, Malcolm X, Colin Kaepernick, and Muhammad Ali, played in the background.
—Toluse Olorunnipa, The Atlantic, 25 Feb. 2026
The trespasser was shouting profanities and throwing water from a plastic bottle, Tahara detailed.
—Cecilio Padilla, CBS News, 24 Feb. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for profanity
Literary Hub, 26 Feb. 2026
As a series of speakers gave remarks—several laced their speeches with profanity and references to Trump’s presence in the Epstein files—a video montage, which included images of Jesse Jackson, Malcolm X, Colin Kaepernick, and Muhammad Ali, played in the background.
—Toluse Olorunnipa, The Atlantic, 25 Feb. 2026
The trespasser was shouting profanities and throwing water from a plastic bottle, Tahara detailed.
—Cecilio Padilla, CBS News, 24 Feb. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for profanity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for profanity
Noun
-
The family curse was alive and well.—
Jennifer Wolfgram,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Too much focus went on growing the club as a financial juggernaut and investing in the stadium, which went from being their savior to their curse.—
Joe Prince-Wright,
NBC news,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
It is hoped that political ad campaigns would aim to lessen the meanness and divisiveness and vulgarity that have damaged our democracy.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Former President Richard Nixon proved himself no slouch in the vulgarity department after reaching the White House in 1969.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
22 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
If a conversation thread gets confusing, rewrite the key points in plain language.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Trump has also asked that Republicans tack on language restricting transgender surgeries and transgender participation in women’s sports — two policies that Republicans successfully used as a political wedge against Democrats in the last election cycle.—
David Sivak,
The Washington Examiner,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
If an exclamation point only signified gore and grossness, this gothic rock opera would more than qualify.—
Rachel Simon,
Vulture,
6 Mar. 2026
-
The characters’ propensity for ugly faces, silliness and a bit of grossness too, stems from the portrayals of girlhood and young womanhood that appeal to them.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Kennedy could be heard hurling swears at the Swedish team.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
23 Feb. 2026
-
And Boring would be that much closer to its 90,000-rider pinkie-swear.—
Pat Beall,
Sun Sentinel,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
But as the film quietly signals, a society’s obscenities are not aberrations, only parts of an ugly chapter in a long history.—
Michael Snyder,
The Atlantic,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Mason’s film, however, went deeper than its premise might suggest; alongside the story of Barry’s persecution on obscenity charges by Ronald Reagan’s FBI, the doc also offered a chilling reminder of the lethal effects of the 1980s AIDS crisis.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Díaz-Canel is one of the regime’s most unpopular figures, earning a popular expletive as a nickname on the island.—
Nora Gámez Torres,
Miami Herald,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Kennedy responded with an outburst full of expletives.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
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 20 Mar. 2026.
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