1
as in pornographic
depicting or referring to sexual matters in a way that is unacceptable in polite society
obscene gestures are totally inappropriate in the workplace
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in disgusting
causing intense displeasure, disgust, or resentment
that ugly new store is really an obscene bit of architecture
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of obscene
But in the law’s early years, it was used to confiscate vast quantities of art and literature deemed lewd, obscene or erotic.
—
Amy Werbel, The Conversation, 24 Jan. 2025
The truth about our involvement in Ukraine to oppose Russia is obscene.
—Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 13 Feb. 2025
The amount of cash being tossed around is obscene, and that’s part of what makes the show guiltily watchable.
—James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Feb. 2025
Flashback: Wills also introduced a bill last year requiring cell phone and tablet manufacturers to include a filter preventing devices from displaying what the state defines as obscene content to minors.
—Jason Clayworth, Axios, 28 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obscene
Amy Werbel, The Conversation, 24 Jan. 2025
The truth about our involvement in Ukraine to oppose Russia is obscene.
—Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 13 Feb. 2025
The amount of cash being tossed around is obscene, and that’s part of what makes the show guiltily watchable.
—James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Feb. 2025
Flashback: Wills also introduced a bill last year requiring cell phone and tablet manufacturers to include a filter preventing devices from displaying what the state defines as obscene content to minors.
—Jason Clayworth, Axios, 28 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obscene
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obscene
Adjective
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Using that platform to engage in partisan attacks and accuse former Department leadership of weaponizing law enforcement is a disgusting betrayal of those values.—
Mark Davis,
Newsweek,
14 Mar. 2025
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Continue reading … ‘PRO-CRIMINAL’ – Blue state sheriff unloads on 'disgusting' bill targeting the right to self-defense.—
Fox News,
Fox News,
11 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Over time, authorities also sidelined activities like sumo wrestling—considered vulgar by Westerners—in favor of baseball, boating, mountain climbing, and other activities popular in the West.—
Livia Gershon,
JSTOR Daily,
23 Mar. 2025
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Cornelius said that the superintendent later informed her of other prior incidents including her son — who has autism and is nonverbal — getting a shower without her permission, getting called vulgar names by staff and teachers, and receiving other inappropriate comments.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Four-time Tour de France winner Chris Froome had form on the bike that was frequently described as ugly.—
Liam Tharme,
The Athletic,
23 Mar. 2025
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Plus, with fewer games, an ugly two weeks in the NBA usually signals a five-alarm fire and overreactions.—
Shane Young,
Forbes,
23 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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With one out and a runner on first, Alves read the ball and sprinted from his position at third base for a diving catch in foul territory for the second out.—
Jacob Steinberg,
Baltimore Sun,
25 Mar. 2025
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The play occurred in the sixth inning when the ball was hit into foul territory.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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To have hate at such a young age for another student is awful.—
Kellie Love,
Hartford Courant,
21 Mar. 2025
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But against lefties, while hitting from the righty batter's box, Cabrera has been downright awful, with a .562 OPS and anemic .209 batting average in 187 career plate appearances.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
19 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Interestingly, the feeling of abandonment mirrors the animating force of the nastiest parts of the American manosphere: the belief that men got left behind.—
Doreen St. Félix,
The New Yorker,
22 Mar. 2025
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The 30-year-old eked out a split decision win in a battle of women who came in on nasty losing streaks.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The disconnect between the reality that many people are currently experiencing hunger, in part because of climate change, and this fancy dinner was sickening.—
The Dial,
The Dial,
18 Mar. 2025
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The ceaselessly rolling, jolting boat was sickening to him, too.—
Joyce Carol Oates,
The New Yorker,
16 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Chicagoans will have no one to hold accountable at the ballot box when the buses don’t arrive and rail stations are filthy and crime-ridden.—
Forrest Claypool,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Mar. 2025
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The plastic waste China received was filthy, much of it too dirty to be cleaned, shredded, and turned into new plastic.—
Scott W. Stern,
The Atlantic,
10 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Obscene.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obscene. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.
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