1
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
2
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
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
According to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), individuals may not block access to sidewalks or buildings, disrupt counterprotests, or engage in speech that is obscene, makes knowingly false statements of fact, or incites immediate violence or dangerous disturbances.
—
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Mar. 2025
There is absolutely nothing in libraries across the state that is obscene.
—Laura Tillman, Hartford Courant, 27 Feb. 2025
But in the law’s early years, it was used to confiscate vast quantities of art and literature deemed lewd, obscene or erotic.
—Amy Werbel, The Conversation, 24 Jan. 2025
The truth about our involvement in Ukraine to oppose Russia is obscene.
—Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 13 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obscene
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Mar. 2025
There is absolutely nothing in libraries across the state that is obscene.
—Laura Tillman, Hartford Courant, 27 Feb. 2025
But in the law’s early years, it was used to confiscate vast quantities of art and literature deemed lewd, obscene or erotic.
—Amy Werbel, The Conversation, 24 Jan. 2025
The truth about our involvement in Ukraine to oppose Russia is obscene.
—Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 13 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obscene
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obscene
Adjective
-
Do not tell the patient disgusting hospital stories about your own operations or procedures.—
Marla Jo Fisher,
Oc Register,
2 Apr. 2025
-
Using that platform to engage in partisan attacks and accuse former Department leadership of weaponizing law enforcement is a disgusting betrayal of those values.—
Mark Davis,
Newsweek,
14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The childish use of vulgar profanity simply leads peoople to view the speaker as being unable to express his/her view.—
Letters to the editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 Apr. 2025
-
Along with receiving vulgar comments in person and people taking her picture on campus, the 18-year-old has received vile and sexist messages after her phone number was posted online.—
David Chiu,
People.com,
1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The first outcome would be a massive win for the United States, while the second would likely be far uglier.—
Michael Khouw,
CNBC,
3 Apr. 2025
-
That pollution causes an ugly brown smog to blanket the skyline on hot summer days and causes people, especially those with respiratory problems, to struggle to breathe.—
Noelle Phillips,
Denver Post,
3 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Vientos also fielded a ball that may have gone foul but instead ended up as an infield hit.—
Will Sammon,
New York Times,
3 Apr. 2025
-
First, Hall went across the line, sliding into foul territory and threw a strike to first to rob Ryan Batista of a double.—
John Maffei,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
There are so many connections between all these awful people.—
Mikey O'Connell,
HollywoodReporter,
2 Apr. 2025
-
Failure to invest in protecting the vulnerable likely means the current awful trends will continue.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
His other performances included as Robert De Niro’s nasty henchman in Michael Mann’s Heat (1995); as Marlon Brando’s insane assistant in John Frankenheimer’s The Island of Dr. Moreau (1996) and as the suave crook Simon Templar in Phillip Noyce’s The Saint (1997).—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
2 Apr. 2025
-
The veteran forward took a nasty fall with 3:21 left in the fourth quarter, landed hard on his tailbone, and spent minutes down on the court surrounded by teammates and coaches.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
30 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Scientists had initially feared this spread could represent another Ebola-like crisis — since that disease originated in animals, then jumped to humans, sickening and killing a large number of people.—
Paul Smaglik,
Discover Magazine,
19 Mar. 2025
-
The disconnect between the reality that many people are currently experiencing hunger, in part because of climate change, and this fancy dinner was sickening.—
The Dial,
The Dial,
18 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Chicagoans will have no one to hold accountable at the ballot box when the buses don’t arrive and rail stations are filthy and crime-ridden.—
Forrest Claypool,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Mar. 2025
-
The plastic waste China received was filthy, much of it too dirty to be cleaned, shredded, and turned into new plastic.—
Scott W. Stern,
The Atlantic,
10 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Obscene.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obscene. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share