Definition of vulgarnext
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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 The messages—widely condemned as vulgar, misogynistic, racist, and homophobic—also revealed discussions about manipulating media coverage, targeting political opponents, and casual references to the misuse of public funds. Israel Melendez Ayala, Time, 30 Jan. 2026 But, earlier in 2024, the video of a vulgar and homophobic comedy routine by Dean of Students and Interim Provost David Rancourt was posted on YouTube. Jonathan Scott Perry, Sun Sentinel, 18 Jan. 2026 Workers should never be subjected to vulgar language or behavior by anyone—including the President of the United States. Elle Meyers, CBS News, 15 Jan. 2026 The man called the driver vulgar names and spit on the right side of his face, according to Encarnacion-Rosados’ arrest warrant. Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for vulgar
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vulgar
Adjective
  • Tire tread depth - Checking your tire tread before hitting the road is important, as low or no tread can lead to sliding.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 20 Feb. 2026
  • All that is gone, even more so as Premier League matches are being switched to Mondays and Fridays, when demand for everything is lower.
    Andy Mitten, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • His night ended amid a storm of laughing students and obscene gestures.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026
  • However, that approach might convince possible free agent targets (say Green’s Bay’s Malik Willis) to look elsewhere, unless the money Miami’s offering is obscene, and far exceeds another franchise.
    Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • The two Spinosaurus species, which were contemporaneous, shared the same general body plan including long dorsal spines forming the sail-like structure and a skull adapted for hunting fish.
    Reuters, NBC news, 20 Feb. 2026
  • In person, Melling is naturally curious, freely solicitous of my opinions about the film or book recommendations in general.
    Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • The vigil can come to look like voyeurism, the human care made crass.
    Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026
  • Funny and silly without being crass or gross.
    Omar L. Gallaga, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • The city of big apples, hand-​tossed pizzas and the colloquial adverb deadass.
    Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 27 Jan. 2026
  • This time around, our Traitors and Faithfuls are a beautiful assortment of Housewives, Survivors, athletes, actors, and plenty of mothers — both literal (Donna Kelce) and in the colloquial sense (Porsha Williams).
    Tom Smyth, Vulture, 9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Here, however, Makowsky examines a purely ignoble figure who feels entitled without accomplishing a thing.
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 6 Nov. 2025
  • The Jets recently saw their local deliveries plummet to an ignoble 4.5 rating, which translates to a meager 350,530 Gang Green households tuning in to WBCS-2.
    Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Millions of children were watching and the lyrics were purely pornographic.
    Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 13 Feb. 2026
  • The startup has faced a global backlash over its Grok chatbot, which was allowed to generate nonconsensual pornographic images of women and children for weeks before the team stepped in to stop it.
    Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Harvesting seed nearby is a way to get plants that are genetically adapted to the prevailing environmental conditions and are more likely to thrive.
    Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Jan. 2026
  • In the northern United States, enjoying the starry winter sky requires protection against the prevailing low temperatures.
    Joe Rao, Space.com, 16 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Vulgar.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vulgar. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on vulgar

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