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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

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 vulgar Basara took to social media to share the troubling experience, asking for help identifying the man, who was captured on video harassing his fiancée with vulgar insults. John Mac Ghlionn, Newsweek, 13 Jan. 2025 However, these arrangements were not mere shakedowns; they were anchored in strategic diplomacy and geopolitical calculus, rather than vulgar profiteering. Ross Rosenfeld, Newsweek, 26 Feb. 2025 Her Facebook and email had been flooded with vulgar, inflammatory responses. Alyssa Goldberg, USA TODAY, 24 Feb. 2025 Streep walked on as the mother of McKinnon’s constant alien abductee Miss Rafferty, with the same spread legs and vulgar manner. Andrew Dalton, Orlando Sentinel, 17 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for vulgar
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vulgar
Adjective
  • Despite multiple promising routines in the practice sessions, Lee’s low score of 11.800 was not enough to send the Olympic Champion to Azerbaijan.
    Caroline Price, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
  • But after spending most of the day under low stratus clouds, patchy fog and coastal drizzle caused by onshore flow, New Yorkers will likely need an umbrella for the evening hours, as a cold front coming from the west is expected to dump up to three-quarters of an inch of rain.
    Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Taken by the apparent deterioration of his health, users made those clips go viral and eventually adapted the money spread into a mini-dance trend where users bop to the song before flaunting an obscene amount of cash (or weed baggies or fishing lures!).
    Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 19 Mar. 2025
  • But there are more visible and indecent »Paris Game« leftovers: the enormous/obscene sportsbook ads on display at every other métro station.
    Eduardo Tansley, The Athletic, 23 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The governor, a Greenwich Democrat and fiscal moderate, also has had both education and general government aid in his crosshairs in recent years, CCM charges.
    Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 15 Mar. 2025
  • With three draft picks in the first 41 selections next month, general manager Ryan Poles probably isn’t done building up front either.
    Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 15 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Trump teaches this crass behavior to his MAGA minions so that many Americans can no longer distinguish true from false, right from wrong, justice from injustice.
    Bob Kustra, Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 2025
  • There’s not really any sort of crude, crass direction.
    Jon Pareles, New York Times, 25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Gorsuch used his short opinion on the dry topic of debt collection to declare a more colloquial style.
    Jill Barton, The Conversation, 24 Jan. 2025
  • What is a Green Beret? Green Beret is the colloquial name used for members of the U.S. Army Special Forces.
    Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA TODAY, 2 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Until then, there are the Razzies, an ignoble accolade marking the very worst movies and acting performances of the year.
    Marco della Cava, USA TODAY, 28 Feb. 2025
  • But on this southern front of the Trump empire, Palm Beach County, Donald Trump is flirting with ignoble defeat.
    Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The move garnered mixed reactions, with many calling out Brown for his rude tone and choice of words.
    Jessica Bennett, VIBE.com, 18 Mar. 2025
  • Shift The Focus To Collaboration Sometimes, rude colleagues act out of insecurity or stress.
    Cheryl Robinson, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Most people outside of Gen Alpha’s inner circles and vernacular likely won’t.
    Gilda D'Incerti, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025
  • While the brand has collaborated with everyone from Sacai and Undercover to Bulgari, Rimowa and most recently, Ugg, Ahn wanted the book to focus on its own aesthetic — perhaps also to remind industry observers of the origin of some ideas that have since entered the fashion vernacular.
    Joelle Diderich, WWD, 26 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Vulgar.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vulgar. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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