1
as in curse
a disrespectful or indecent word or expression
a rap song that is filled with profanities
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in vulgarity
the quality or state of being obscene
once notorious for its profanity, that 1950s best seller will strike today's readers as lamentably tame
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of profanity
And while all this is happening, Democratic leaders have decided profanity is a leadership style.
—
Larry Clifton, Sun Sentinel, 17 Mar. 2026
The ensuing match is also loud, filled with laughter, smack talk and maybe an occasional profanity.
—Evan Grant, Dallas Morning News, 16 Mar. 2026
And, judging from Lynch’s signature way of talking, a lot of profanity.
—Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026
As instructed by the student organizers, none of the signs carried by students had profanity.
—Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for profanity
Larry Clifton, Sun Sentinel, 17 Mar. 2026
The ensuing match is also loud, filled with laughter, smack talk and maybe an occasional profanity.
—Evan Grant, Dallas Morning News, 16 Mar. 2026
And, judging from Lynch’s signature way of talking, a lot of profanity.
—Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026
As instructed by the student organizers, none of the signs carried by students had profanity.
—Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for profanity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for profanity
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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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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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
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 Chico State allegations were covered by the Chico Enterprise-Record, which reported in 2006 that players accused Goodenbour of degrading them and directing obscenities at them.—
Julia Haney,
NPR,
28 Mar. 2026
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That has given the agency the legal ability to regulate such things as indecency and obscenity, as well as commercials in children’s programming.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
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On some of her livestreams, she can be seen screaming expletives in the face of police officers.—
Brian Maass,
CBS News,
1 Apr. 2026
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Hurley's mother, Christine, was among them and in true Hurley family fashion let a few expletives fly after the last-second win.—
Andrew McCarty,
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
Cite this Entry
“Profanity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/profanity. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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