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
Filled with profanity, quirky pets, and everyday chaos, the show became a cult sensation and won a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Reality Program.
—
Amanda Castro
gabe Whisnant
anna Commander
shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 July 2025
Two generations ago, one of the more shocking elements in the transcripts of then-President Richard Nixon’s tapes was his frequent use of profanity.
—Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 6 July 2025
The incident stemmed from a discussion about a police officer's use of profanity during an arrest.
—Scott Wartman, The Enquirer, 4 July 2025
Even during a fiery outburst on June 3, when a member of the public started lobbing profanities at Combs, the rapper looked blankly at the woman before turning back around in his chair.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 1 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for profanity
Amanda Castro
gabe Whisnant
anna Commander
shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 July 2025
Two generations ago, one of the more shocking elements in the transcripts of then-President Richard Nixon’s tapes was his frequent use of profanity.
—Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 6 July 2025
The incident stemmed from a discussion about a police officer's use of profanity during an arrest.
—Scott Wartman, The Enquirer, 4 July 2025
Even during a fiery outburst on June 3, when a member of the public started lobbing profanities at Combs, the rapper looked blankly at the woman before turning back around in his chair.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 1 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for profanity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for profanity
Noun
-
Rumors of a Satanic curse on the event skittered around the Haight, so early on the morning of the 14th, Ginsberg, Snyder, and Alan Watts conducted a pradakshina, a Buddhist purification rite.—
Dennis McNally,
Rolling Stone,
7 Aug. 2025
-
As those points attest, emotional wording can be a blessing and a curse.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
1 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Swearing and vulgarity aren’t just crass or abusive.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
15 June 2025
-
The fastidious formality of Monsieur Gustave H. exists right alongside his matter-of-fact vulgarity, a combination that Fiennes nails with astounding precision.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
12 June 2025
Noun
-
The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.—
Charna Flam,
People.com,
8 Aug. 2025
-
As fiduciaries, trustees are charged with managing trust assets, making distributions according to the trust’s terms and adhering strictly to the grantor’s intent and the language in the trust agreement.—
Royce Ramey,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Bonus: For every 100ml bottle sold, Omorovicza donates 5% to Water.org, supporting global access to safe water. Jones Road Miracle Balm, $40 Women over 50 swear by this award-winning, Bobbi Brown-founded brand for its nourishing and hydrating qualities.—
Kristen Philipkoski,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
-
The word was forbidden in their household and treated like a swear.—
Ariana Yaptangco,
Glamour,
22 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The appellate court ruled Friends of George's lacked standing to sue over the law as its performances would have artistic value and therefore not fall under the obscenity statute.—
Melissa Brown,
The Tennessean,
2 July 2025
-
Eight years later, the magazine famously published nude photos of her, which was unheard of at the time, and Hugh Hefner was arrested on obscenity charges.—
Julie Tremaine,
People.com,
1 July 2025
Noun
-
An angry Schottenheimer stopped the team drill portion, got everyone huddled up in the middle of the field and ripped into the group with several expletives.—
Jon Machota,
New York Times,
26 July 2025
-
Stewart had harsh words for CBS and Paramount, using several expletives to punctuate his sentiments.—
Liam Reilly,
CNN Money,
22 July 2025
Noun
-
And, when the alarm wails hours before dawn, human cusses of angry protest join the chorus of budget appliances failing before their time.—
Virginia Konchan,
The New Yorker,
30 Sep. 2024
-
My grandmother extended a ladder up into this tough old cuss of a tree and climbed up, at some risk, to pick the bulging fruit.—
Jim Meddleton,
The Christian Science Monitor,
1 May 2024
Noun
-
As the Oxford English Dictionary notes, the expression not hardly is considered a vulgarism.—
NR Editors,
National Review,
16 Apr. 2020
-
The British cringed over new American accents, coinages and vulgarisms.—
Time,
Time,
11 June 2019
Cite this Entry
“Profanity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/profanity. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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