1
as in vulgarity
the quality or state of being obscene
the song couldn't be performed on the air due to the obscenity of the lyrics
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2
as in curse
a disrespectful or indecent word or expression
uttered a loud obscenity when he dropped the hammer on his toe
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of obscenity
Video shows the women squeezing through the window and screaming obscenities at the people inside, while tossing food, beverages and packaging.
—
Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 28 Feb. 2026
Parents should be prepared to turn the channel or cover their children’s eyes and ears so they are not exposed to these obscenities.
—Chicago Tribune, 22 Feb. 2026
And where no parent could sit their kids within 15 feet of the Nuggets’ bench without hearing a torrent of Moe obscenities.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 18 Feb. 2026
Cocoa Beach police responded to Hill-Brodigan’s home that night after receiving multiple calls about the party, some of which said minors were seen walking toward the home through other peoples’ yards and yelled obscenities at them.
—Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for obscenity
Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 28 Feb. 2026
Parents should be prepared to turn the channel or cover their children’s eyes and ears so they are not exposed to these obscenities.
—Chicago Tribune, 22 Feb. 2026
And where no parent could sit their kids within 15 feet of the Nuggets’ bench without hearing a torrent of Moe obscenities.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 18 Feb. 2026
Cocoa Beach police responded to Hill-Brodigan’s home that night after receiving multiple calls about the party, some of which said minors were seen walking toward the home through other peoples’ yards and yelled obscenities at them.
—Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for obscenity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obscenity
Noun
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It is hoped that political ad campaigns would aim to lessen the meanness and divisiveness and vulgarity that have damaged our democracy.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Feb. 2026
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Former President Richard Nixon proved himself no slouch in the vulgarity department after reaching the White House in 1969.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
22 Feb. 2026
Noun
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At the beginning of her music career, Jordan was (rightfully) hailed as a prodigy—a blessing and a curse.—
Grace Robins-Somerville,
Pitchfork,
30 Mar. 2026
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Meeting Rachel’s parents and getting that backstory leads her into discovering this family curse.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
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If an exclamation point only signified gore and grossness, this gothic rock opera would more than qualify.—
Rachel Simon,
Vulture,
6 Mar. 2026
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The characters’ propensity for ugly faces, silliness and a bit of grossness too, stems from the portrayals of girlhood and young womanhood that appeal to them.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Kennedy could be heard hurling swears at the Swedish team.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
23 Feb. 2026
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And Boring would be that much closer to its 90,000-rider pinkie-swear.—
Pat Beall,
Sun Sentinel,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The other funnymen of the time—Milton Berle with his lewd suggestiveness, Jackie Gleason with his baleful roar—did the same shtick over and over.—
David Denby,
New Yorker,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Police said the man was standing on the roof with a shotgun, pointing the weapon at people working in the backyard of a neighboring home and yelling profanities, including racist remarks.—
Tim Fang,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
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The situation escalated when one member of the group used profanity while gathering their belongings.—
Darlin Tillery,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
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There’s some rudeness, aggressive conversations, and crudeness, but nothing too over the top.—
Lynnette Nicholas,
Parents,
4 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Speech-language pathologists work with people who have disorders involving speech, language and swallowing, sometimes from injuries, medical conditions or developmental delays.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
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Once each semester, Grit Matthias Phelps, a German language instructor at Cornell University, introduces her students to the raw feeling of typing without online assistance.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Obscenity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obscenity. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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