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Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of coarse are gross, obscene, ribald, and vulgar. While all these words mean "offensive to good taste or morals," coarse implies roughness, rudeness, or crudeness of spirit, behavior, or language.

found the coarse humor of coworkers offensive

When can gross be used instead of coarse?

The words gross and coarse can be used in similar contexts, but gross implies extreme coarseness and insensitiveness.

gross eating habits

When could obscene be used to replace coarse?

While the synonyms obscene and coarse are close in meaning, 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 coarse?

The meanings of ribald and coarse largely overlap; however, ribald applies to what is amusingly or picturesquely vulgar or irreverent or mildly indecent.

entertained the campers with ribald folk songs

When might vulgar be a better fit than coarse?

The words vulgar and coarse are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, vulgar often implies boorishness or ill-breeding.

a loud vulgar belch

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 coarse Hundreds of millions of years ago, a lake lined with coarse sediment was battered by heavy waves and storms. Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 17 June 2025 With Bill Murray killing as a preening champion, this coarse, dumb, hilarious film is primo Farrelly brothers during their golden age that, unfairly, got slept on at the time. Tim Grierson, Vulture, 25 July 2025 Gordon is not an especially confessional writer, but his voice, which at times stretches into a coarse falsetto, contains enormous amounts of emotion. Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 21 July 2025 The removal processes for both options are similar: First, the top layer of polish is gently sloughed off with a coarse nail file, then the nails are soaked in an acetone solution. Rebecca Dancer, Allure, 18 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for coarse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for coarse
Adjective
  • Her choice to respond by telling me to 'shut the f*** up' and to 'calm my p*****' was vulgar, dismissive and escalated the issue entirely.
    Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Aug. 2025
  • As deadly wildfires raged across Southern California in January, a Los Angeles city official lamented to the city council and others how they were forced to listen to hateful, vulgar language from some members of the public.
    BrieAnna J. Frank, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • To authenticate Trump's note and the obscene drawing that accompanied it, Journal reporters claim to have seen the album and talked to people knowledgeable about it.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Aug. 2025
  • Guests will enjoy the experience free from disruptive behavior, foul language, obscene gestures, fighting, unruly conduct or inconsiderate actions.
    Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 9 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • For most of his first 10 songs, Costello’s singing was ragged and hoarse.
    George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 June 2025
  • Screamed himself hoarse and still tried calling for his brother.
    Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 June 2025
Adjective
  • This plant is recognizable by its characteristic arrangement of leaves growing in groups of three with edges that vary from smooth to jagged.
    Christopher P. Holstege, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2025
  • Beads of sweat dripped in jagged lines from Brandis Rogers’ temples and the nape of her neck.
    Briah Lumpkins, Charlotte Observer, 14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Additionally, over-saturating with water is a poor choice for these floors.
    Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 16 Aug. 2025
  • Specifically, poor capital allocation decisions have destroyed significant value.
    Kenneth Squire, CNBC, 16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The 17-mile loop road through Monument Valley is unpaved, rutted and sandy.
    Michael Salerno, AZCentral.com, 16 Aug. 2025
  • The teaser poster for Fallout Season 2 was published exclusively by IGN on Friday, which shows silhouettes of The Ghoul, Lucy, Maximus and the canine Dogmeat walking in the sandy, deserted environs of the former Las Vegas, now called New Vegas.
    Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 15 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
  • Faced with this existential crisis, Bull gathers his best pals—Rocco, a gruff boxer (Idris Elba); Lucky, a dopey but loyal beagle (Bobby Moynihan); and Fetch, a wannabe influencer dachshund (Fred Armisen)—for one final night of canine mischief.
    Travis Bean, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
  • Though polar opposites, together, Leonard and Bitchy have seen it all; the gruff Bitchy serves as the play’s agitator, pitting him opposite Leonard, the conscience and Greek chorus.
    Duante Beddingfield, Freep.com, 30 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Coarse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/coarse. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.

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