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Synonym Chooser

How is the word vulgar different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of vulgar are coarse, gross, obscene, and ribald. While all these words mean "offensive to good taste or morals," vulgar often implies boorishness or ill-breeding.

a loud vulgar belch

When is it sensible to use coarse instead of vulgar?

While the synonyms coarse and vulgar are close in meaning, coarse implies roughness, rudeness, or crudeness of spirit, behavior, or language.

found the coarse humor of coworkers offensive

When might gross be a better fit than vulgar?

The synonyms gross and vulgar are sometimes interchangeable, but gross implies extreme coarseness and insensitiveness.

gross eating habits

In what contexts can obscene take the place of vulgar?

While in some cases nearly identical to vulgar, obscene applies to anything strongly repulsive to the sense of decency and propriety especially in sexual matters.

obscene language not allowed on the air

Where would ribald be a reasonable alternative to vulgar?

In some situations, the words ribald and vulgar are roughly equivalent. However, ribald applies to what is amusingly or picturesquely vulgar or irreverent or mildly indecent.

entertained the campers with ribald folk songs

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 vulgar True to the Housefull world, Housefull 5 is a no-brainer, full of slapstick comedy, vulgar and suggestive dialogues and mostly unfunny jokes. Sweta Kaushal, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025 By The Athletic’s count, over nine innings during the Yankees’ 6-2 win over the Mets, those fans aimed the same vulgar chant at Soto a whopping 38 times. Will Sammon, New York Times, 17 May 2025 Because at the time, Madonna was seen as this controversial and sort of vulgar character. Terry Gross, NPR, 17 July 2025 Users must also opt-in to see the vulgar version of Bad Rudi, rather than a more family-friendly version known simply as Rudi. David Ingram, NBC news, 15 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for vulgar
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vulgar
Adjective
  • Avoid puddles - Driving into puddles or low rainwater areas can lead to vehicles hydroplaning or losing control.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 24 Aug. 2025
  • This has meant that for years, national esports events have featured lower tier players as the big names have been focused on winning world championships with their clubs.
    Mike Stubbs, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Part of that obscene number is the Never Say Die Ladies Turf Sprint.
    Danny Brewer, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
  • Brooklyn prosecutors charged him with misdemeanor assault, as well as menacing, reckless endangerment, possession of obscene material, interference with a professional sporting event, weapons possession and other charges, officials said.
    Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 21 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Airport officials believed the city was moving money, which according to state law should be dedicated to paying off the bonds, to the city's general fund and then using it for purposes other than paying off the bonds.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Aug. 2025
  • Browns general manager Andrew Berry explained why the team signed Bond.
    Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The idea that women should lose the right to vote is shaping up to be more than a crass punchline or a dystopian viewpoint, but one that Pete Hegseth, a member of the president’s cabinet, appears to agree with.
    Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 12 Aug. 2025
  • To achieve this encyclopedic scope, Joyce opened every door between the divine thought of Thomas Aquinas and crass Dublin newspaper ads.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • But the colloquial use of the term has prompted criticism from some.
    Rebecca Schneid, Time, 20 July 2025
  • Proposition 12 is the colloquial term for the Farm Animal Confinement Initiative.
    Alan Wooten, The Washington Examiner, 28 June 2025
Adjective
  • This is an ignoble plan that cites dubious science while elevating the entertainment of a handful of hunters over the revulsion of most Floridians.
    Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 July 2025
  • My focus is down to the ignoble little health annoyances that seem to cap and even eclipse a major setback.
    John Updike, New Yorker, 11 July 2025
Adjective
  • Fox News host Dana Perino, a former White House press secretary, called out how rude the governor’s messages tended to be.
    Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 24 Aug. 2025
  • The Russian military faced a rude surprise on Ukrainian battlefields in part because in Vladimir Putin’s Russia, professionalism is secondary to politics.
    David French, Mercury News, 20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The musical tastes and vernacular of Abbie and Leila also come from that era of Martin's life.
    EW.com, EW.com, 31 July 2025
  • There are terms of affection for groups of players like the Busby Babes or Fergie’s Fledglings, but these were coined and used by journalists and not used in everyday vernacular.
    Andy Mitten, New York Times, 30 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Vulgar.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vulgar. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on vulgar

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