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ribaldry

noun

ˈri-bəl-drē How to pronounce ribaldry (audio)
Definition of ribaldrynext
as in vulgarity
the quality or state of being obscene there's a ribaldry in the works of Chaucer that generations of students of English literature have heartily enjoyed

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 ribaldry Finding liberty in punk artistry, Dury updated the tradition of British music-hall ribaldry and rude folk humor. — Armond White, National Review, 3 Aug. 2022 The young woman disappeared in the ribaldry, everyone smelling of perfume and drowning one another out in their hysterical good time. — David Rabe, The New Yorker, 5 Oct. 2020 The horses pick their fresh ways delicately through the dewy country, the brightness of sunrise has not yet fallen from the air, the sky is blue and all-covering, and the cowboys are full of jokes and morning ribaldries. — Larry McMurtry, Harper's magazine, 28 Oct. 2019 Imagine Ludlam’s Ridiculous Theatrical Company without the cross-dressing ribaldry. — Charles McNulty, latimes.com, 15 May 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ribaldry
  1. vulgarity
  2. grossness
  3. suggestiveness
  4. crudeness
  5. obscenity
  6. bawdiness
  7. coarseness
  8. lewdness
Noun
  • Community outrage about the image, along with online posts calling the mayor a host of vulgarities, spilled into a recent council meeting and is inflaming political divisions within College Park.
    — Reed Williams, AJC.com, 21 Sep. 2026
  • In a sprightly performance rife with oddball mannerisms, Gnecco gives Borges equal parts impish wisdom, earthy vulgarity and childlike wonder, rarely letting a moment’s silence go unfilled with eager chatter.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of vulgarity
Noun
  • But Paddy’s isn’t Sudz, and the Gang’s efforts to soft-pedal their antics to be more in line with those mainstream bars devolved into typical Sunny-style hostility and off-putting grossness.
    — Dennis Perkins, Entertainment Weekly, 28 July 2026
  • 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
Definition of grossness
Noun
  • The Averys also lack the deep, metaphysical suggestiveness of the Gottliebs.
    — Sebastian Smee, The Atlantic, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The bucket quickly went viral for its not-safe-for-work suggestiveness.
    — Greta Cross, USA Today, 1 July 2026
Definition of suggestiveness
Noun
  • There’s some rudeness, aggressive conversations, and crudeness, but nothing too over the top.
    — Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 4 Aug. 2025
Definition of crudeness
Noun
  • That's how every criminal statute (including obscenity) works.
    — Robert Steinbuch, Arkansas Online, 18 Sep. 2026
  • This results in a wild stretch of attempts by Mona to give life to the line, building to sheer insane obscenities responsible for the film’s R rating.
    — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of obscenity
Noun
  • Despite the heavy central theme of chronic illness, there’s a delicious bawdiness to Will There Ever Be Another You, a vulgar juvenilia evoking graffiti-tag genitals or the ding dong ditch scene from Billy Madison.
    — Eric Olson September 23, Literary Hub, 23 Sep. 2025
Definition of bawdiness
Noun
  • Most denim blends using hemp only include 20 or 30 percent of the fiber due to its coarseness.
    — Jennifer Bringle, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2026
  • But many seemingly urbane texts also benefited from the intellectual and moral coarseness of their times.
    — Christine Smallwood, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
Definition of coarseness
Noun
  • Kelley pleaded guilty to both the remaining charges of public lewdness and obstructing government operations, according to local news outlet WSFA.
    — Jack Irvin, PEOPLE, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The writing, by Estelle Hoy and Justine Gelfman, was sassy and sharp, and the narrative exuded a whimsical lewdness that cut against the production’s overall slapstick sensibility.
    — Andy Battaglia, ARTnews.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of lewdness

Browse Nearby Words

ribald
ribaldry
ribbed
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Cite this Entry

“Ribaldry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ribaldry. Accessed 25 Sep. 2026.

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