1
as in low
belonging to the class of people of low social or economic rank
paintings that appeal to vulgar tastes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in obscene
depicting or referring to sexual matters in a way that is unacceptable in polite society
a warning about the movie's vulgar language
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in general
held by or applicable to a majority of the people
the vulgar opinion is that the nation is in decline
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in crass
lacking in refinement or good taste
vulgar behavior shown by someone who's made a lot of money and wants everyone to know it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in colloquial
used in or suitable for speech and not formal writing
Latin was once the language of scholars, and English the vulgar language used by the common people
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 vulgar
The comics were often dismissed as a vulgar form, but the bad joke of our superhero-movie culture is that most of it is a vulgarization of the comics.
—
Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 8 July 2025
Unlike Jonathan Glazer’s The Zone of Interest, which kept such scenes forever out of the frame, Serebrennikov’s decision to show us Mengele at his absolute worst feels both morally suspect and cinematically vulgar.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 20 May 2025
The cameo came at the end of a recurring sketch in which Mikey Day plays a man who gets cut off in traffic while driving with his daughter, played by Chloe Fineman, exchanging vulgar insults and very literal hand gestures with host Quinta Brunson on a ferry.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 3 May 2025
Using vulgar, profane or indecent language in a loud or boisterous manner in the presence of children.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for vulgar
Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 8 July 2025
Unlike Jonathan Glazer’s The Zone of Interest, which kept such scenes forever out of the frame, Serebrennikov’s decision to show us Mengele at his absolute worst feels both morally suspect and cinematically vulgar.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 20 May 2025
The cameo came at the end of a recurring sketch in which Mikey Day plays a man who gets cut off in traffic while driving with his daughter, played by Chloe Fineman, exchanging vulgar insults and very literal hand gestures with host Quinta Brunson on a ferry.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 3 May 2025
Using vulgar, profane or indecent language in a loud or boisterous manner in the presence of children.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for vulgar
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vulgar
Adjective
-
Designed as federal programs to assist the elderly, disabled individuals and those with low income, both have grown into the largest sources of health care coverage in the country.—
Jasmine Laws,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 July 2025
-
But both companies could use a boost as consumer demand for indulgent food has been trending lower for some time.—
Jordan Valinsky,
CNN Money,
30 July 2025
Adjective
-
The law requires pornographic websites to verify users’ ages – for example by making users scan and upload their driver’s license – before granting access to content that is deemed obscene for minors but not adults.—
Meg Leta Jones,
The Conversation,
27 June 2025
-
Lawsuit alleges 'obscene' government overreach Longo's lawsuit, filed in Chemung County, New York, names the county, the city of Elmira and several DEC officers as defendants.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
12 July 2025
Adjective
-
Claire Wilkinson, the general counsel for the School District, showed board members the two AI policies.—
Edward McKinnon,
Arkansas Online,
25 July 2025
-
Ex-National Basketball Players Association deputy general counsel Hal Biagas said public engagement is an effective leverage point to a degree, but its success depends on how much people stay engaged with the CBA saga.—
Eric Jackson,
Sportico.com,
25 July 2025
Adjective
-
After a game in January where Luna played through a broken nose and registered an assist despite being elbowed in the face by a player from Costa Rica, Pochettino praised his young midfielder with a memorably crass description.—
Christian Babcock,
Mercury News,
16 June 2025
-
Swearing and vulgarity aren’t just crass or abusive.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
15 June 2025
Adjective
-
Proposition 12 is the colloquial term for the Farm Animal Confinement Initiative.—
Alan Wooten,
The Washington Examiner,
28 June 2025
-
The strawberry moon is the colloquial name for June's full moon, a term originating from Native American tribes who marked the time when wild strawberries reached peak ripeness.—
Kate Nalepinski,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 June 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
O’Neal credits the playgrounds of his childhood with giving him instincts on the court and helping instill the resilience to endure what felt like an ignoble start to his career.—
Jay Caspian Kang,
New Yorker,
23 June 2025
Adjective
-
Some posed for photos, others made rude gestures, and many simply stared.—
Jasmine Baehr,
FOXNews.com,
27 July 2025
-
The movie’s off-color humor wouldn’t fly today, but its rebellious spirit remains hilariously defiant — a refreshingly rude retort to the niceties of family films and their cringey feel-good messages.—
Tim Grierson,
Vulture,
25 July 2025
Adjective
-
Brandon Gill: There was a time between 2014 and 2022 when leftists in academia and the media would use this kind of weird, woke, far-left vernacular.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
11 July 2025
-
Instead, the architecture of the city was part of my vernacular.—
Caitlin Woolsey,
Artforum,
1 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Vulgar.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vulgar. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share