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Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of obscene are coarse, gross, ribald, and vulgar. While all these words mean "offensive to good taste or morals," obscene applies to anything strongly repulsive to the sense of decency and propriety especially in sexual matters.

obscene language not allowed on the air

When might coarse be a better fit than obscene?

While the synonyms coarse and obscene are close in meaning, coarse implies roughness, rudeness, or crudeness of spirit, behavior, or language.

found the coarse humor of coworkers offensive

When is gross a more appropriate choice than obscene?

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

gross eating habits

When would ribald be a good substitute for obscene?

The words ribald and obscene are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, ribald applies to what is amusingly or picturesquely vulgar or irreverent or mildly indecent.

entertained the campers with ribald folk songs

In what contexts can vulgar take the place of obscene?

The synonyms vulgar and obscene are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 obscene Banners containing commercial, political or obscene material, or that block guest views. Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 12 Nov. 2024 He was booked on charges of enticing a child under 16, distribution of obscene matter, and lascivious posing and exhibiting a child in the nude. Andrea Margolis, Fox News, 3 Dec. 2024 Of course, obscene content has been censored, and services that clearly broke intellectual property laws, like Napster, WikiLeaks, and The Pirate Bay were shuttered, but, for the average person, the internet remained broadly open in the United States. Callum Booth, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024 There have now been 21 fines due to obscene gestures this season. Ryan Morik, Fox News, 7 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for obscene 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obscene
Adjective
  • My TikTok really blew up somewhere between my videos taste-testing a really disgusting medication and my series about dating.
    Brooke Eby, People.com, 23 Jan. 2025
  • Billions Of Jellyfish Wash Up On Beach By Jess Thomson Science Reporter 1 A plague of bizarre and disgusting balls that have washed up along popular beaches in Australia have been found to contain fecal bacteria.
    Raul A. Reyes, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Her involuntary outbursts cause Dupree to shout a number of things, such as comments about people around her and more vulgar language.
    Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 17 Jan. 2025
  • Nearly 100% of the first film’s grosses were made in the U.S. — so few expected the spooky sequel about a vulgar poltergeist to connect in the territories across the pond and beyond this time around either.
    Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 18 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • An ugly opt in: If there is no trade by Feb. 6, Butler then regains a degree of leverage with the right to invoke his $52.4 million player option next season.
    Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 23 Jan. 2025
  • This underscores an ugly truth as to why California’s housing is grossly and unnecessarily expensive, and in short supply.
    Steve Forbes, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Larsson promptly picked up his fourth foul 2:40 into the third quarter and finished with four points (one for five shooting) and five rebounds in 14 minutes.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 24 Jan. 2025
  • Christopher made up for 3-of-9 foul shooting by making 26 field goals to 19 for Westmont, which went 12-of-14 at the free-throw line.
    Glenn Reeves, The Mercury News, 24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • But 2024 Ohio State had the good fortune to suffer that awful day in the first year of a bigger Playoff.
    Stewart Mandel, The Athletic, 21 Jan. 2025
  • There is one ray of hope for United fans though amid the awful run of results.
    Ben Church, CNN, 20 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • First Lady Nancy Reagan was upset, thinking her husband was being too nasty.
    George Skelton, Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2025
  • The fight has been particularly nasty, with both sides trading harsh accusations against the other.
    Nicholas Gordon, Fortune Asia, 20 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Respiratory viruses are continuing to spread across the United States, sickening millions of Americans.
    Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 20 Jan. 2025
  • Escaping the sickening air pollution triggered by the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles has become a game of which algorithm to trust.
    Paresh Dave, WIRED, 16 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Lamine Yamal’s filthy turn for the second goal (above) let football shine through the politics for a second.
    Phil Hay, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025
  • In the earlier seasons of the show, characters were often filthy, caked with dirt and blood, clothes tattered.
    Erik Kain, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near obscene

Cite this Entry

“Obscene.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obscene. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on obscene

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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