VULGAR Synonyms: 315 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'vulgar' different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of vulgar are coarse , gross , obscene , and ribald . While all these words mean "offensive to good taste or morals," vulgar often implies boorishness or ill-breeding. // a loud vulgar belch

Q: When is it sensible to use 'coarse' instead of 'vulgar'?

While the synonyms coarse and vulgar are close in meaning, coarse implies roughness, rudeness, or crudeness of spirit, behavior, or language. // found the coarse humor of coworkers offensive

Q: When might 'gross' be a better fit than 'vulgar'?

The synonyms gross and vulgar are sometimes interchangeable, but gross implies extreme coarseness and insensitiveness. // gross eating habits

Q: In what contexts can 'obscene' take the place of 'vulgar'?

While in some cases nearly identical to vulgar , 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: Where would 'ribald' be a reasonable alternative to 'vulgar'?

In some situations, the words ribald and vulgar are roughly equivalent. However, ribald applies to what is amusingly or picturesquely vulgar or irreverent or mildly indecent. // entertained the campers with ribald folk songs

vulgar

adjective

ˈvəl-gər

Definition of vulgar next

as in low

belonging to the class of people of low social or economic rank paintings that appeal to vulgar tastes

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as in obscene

depicting or referring to sexual matters in a way that is unacceptable in polite society a warning about the movie's vulgar language

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as in general

held by or applicable to a majority of the people the vulgar opinion is that the nation is in decline

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as in crass

lacking in refinement or good taste vulgar behavior shown by someone who's made a lot of money and wants everyone to know it

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as in colloquial

used in or suitable for speech and not formal writing Latin was once the language of scholars, and English the vulgar language used by the common people

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Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of vulgar are coarse, gross, obscene, and ribald. While all these words mean "offensive to good taste or morals," vulgar often implies boorishness or ill-breeding.

a loud vulgar belch

When is it sensible to use coarse instead of vulgar?

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

found the coarse humor of coworkers offensive

When might gross be a better fit than vulgar?

The synonyms gross and vulgar are sometimes interchangeable, but gross implies extreme coarseness and insensitiveness.

gross eating habits

In what contexts can obscene take the place of vulgar?

While in some cases nearly identical to vulgar, obscene applies to anything strongly repulsive to the sense of decency and propriety especially in sexual matters.

obscene language not allowed on the air

Where would ribald be a reasonable alternative to vulgar?

In some situations, the words ribald and vulgar are roughly equivalent. However, ribald applies to what is amusingly or picturesquely vulgar or irreverent or mildly indecent.

entertained the campers with ribald folk songs

Examples 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 vulgar Opinion:Wildest moments of a chaotic and often vulgar presidential race Reach Goodykoontz at bill.goodykoontz@arizonarepublic.com. —

Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 31 Oct. 2024 In the midst of an ownership legal battle and an ongoing recall due to a listeria outbreak, which food manufacturer has also been accused of violating workplace safety issues and tolerating vulgar office behavior? —

Maria Gracia Santillana Linares, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2024 Indeed, America’s recent history has shown that politics is a trailing indicator of cultural change, and that one generation’s most vulgar entertainment becomes the next generation’s accepted style of political argument. —

Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2024 Married to Stanley, a man of carnal appetites and vulgar manners, Stella has embraced the crude pleasures of realism, while her freeloading sister still clings to tattered aristocratic illusions. —

Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for vulgar

Recent Examples of Synonyms for vulgar

Adjective

Alabama’s ceiling looked higher, but its floor looked lower.

Chris Vannini, The Athletic, 9 Dec. 2024
New York City and Philadelphia were expected to hit the mid-50s Sunday and low 60s by Wednesday.

Susan Miller, USA TODAY, 9 Dec. 2024