indecency

noun

in·​de·​cen·​cy (ˌ)in-ˈdē-sᵊn(t)-sē 

1

: the quality or state of being indecent

2

: something (such as a word or action) that is indecent

Synonyms

• bawdiness
• blueness
• coarseness
• crudeness
• crudity
• dirt
• dirtiness
• filth
• filthiness
• foulness
• grossness
• impureness
• impurity
• lasciviousness
• lewdness
• nastiness
• obscenity
• profanity
• raunch
• raunchiness
• ribaldry
• smut
• smuttiness
• vulgarity
• wantonness

Examples of indecency in a Sentence

The book has been criticized for indecency.

I was shocked by the indecency of their language.

He was accused of sexual indecencies.

Recent Examples on the Web

The announcement comes after the district on July 31 told parents that LBJ band, piano and choir teacher Rodney Childers had been arrested and charged with indecency with a child by exposure and two counts of improper educator-student relationship, all second-degree felonies. —Keri Heath, Austin American-Statesman, 8 Aug. 2024

In short, when faced with a genuine choice between civility and decency versus vulgarity and indecency, most Americans who voted in the 2024 elections opted for the latter. —Mordechai Gordon, Hartford Courant, 12 Nov. 2024

Ogg also said at least two of those who paid to obtain the fake certification were charged with indecency with a child as well as online solicitation of a minor. —Christina Shaw, Fox News, 29 Oct. 2024

As an armchair legal scholar, my guess is that constitutes burglary, property damage, and perhaps public indecency. —Frederick Dreier, Outside Online, 18 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1589, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

indecency

noun

in·​de·​cen·​cy (ˈ)in-ˈdēs-ən-sē 

plural indecencies

1

: lack of decency

2

: an indecent act or word