vulgarity

noun

ˌvəl-ˈger-rə-tē How to pronounce vulgarity (audio)
Definition of vulgaritynext
1
as in rudeness
the quality or state of lacking refinement or good taste our cousins' general vulgarity and poor manners irritate my mother

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in grossness
the quality or state of being obscene the pointless vulgarity of the joke disgusted her

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 vulgarity 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 The distinction between ugliness and vulgarity feels important now. — Debbie Millman, Time, 18 Aug. 2026 The once-vaunted values of public life are now reduced to the lower standards of private life—venality, vulgarity, rudeness, incontinence, and ignorance. — Simon Sebag Montefiore, The Atlantic, 28 June 2026 Benoit delights in language as much as her heroine, weaving Regency-era slang throughout and appending a chapter-by-chapter glossary of vulgarities. — Angelina Mazza, Vulture, 19 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for vulgarity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vulgarity
  1. rudeness
  2. grossness
  3. lowness
  4. crudeness
  5. roughness
  6. obscenity
  7. coarseness
  8. suggestiveness
Noun
  • But the opposition is steeped in that same monotone rudeness.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The once-vaunted values of public life are now reduced to the lower standards of private life—venality, vulgarity, rudeness, incontinence, and ignorance.
    — Simon Sebag Montefiore, The Atlantic, 28 June 2026
Definition of rudeness
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
  • That feeling stops, however, when pulling into gas stations or parking lots, where the length and lowness of the car require extreme care to keep the chin from scraping.
    — Byron Hurd, The Drive, 4 Feb. 2026
Definition of lowness
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
  • Finally, there was Gilman’s unnecessary roughness penalty on top of a 22-yard pass that reset the tone of the game and helped enable Denver to cut it to 24-21.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 3 Nov. 2026
  • The Bears were helped on the ensuing kickoff by Seahawks defensive lineman Mike Morris’ unnecessary roughness penalty, setting them up at their 44-yard line.
    — Phil Thompson, Chicago Tribune, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of roughness
Noun
  • The examination showed that Parker and Smith had exchanged dozens of texts, which include obscenities and insults, in the days before Parker's disappearance.
    — News Editor, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026
  • After most of the sellout crowd filed out Wednesday, one solitary Sox fan stood at his seat under the press box, shouting obscenities about the Guardians and the city of Cleveland.
    — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of obscenity
Noun
  • For too long, the daily cruelty and the coarseness of political rhetoric have elicited only shrugs, or more often, laughter.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 6 Nov. 2026
  • 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
Definition of coarseness
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

Browse Nearby Words

vulgarisms
vulgarity
vulgarize
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Cite this Entry

“Vulgarity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vulgarity. Accessed 11 Nov. 2026.

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