OBSCENE Synonyms: 224 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

obscene

adjective

äb-ˈsēn

Definition of obscene next

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

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

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