ribald

adjective

ˈri-bəld How to pronounce ribald (audio)
Definition of ribaldnext
1
as in obscene
depicting or referring to sexual matters in a way that is unacceptable in polite society some of the movie's most ribald, and thus funniest, scenes were cut for showing on broadcast television

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in suggestive
hinting at or intended to call to mind matters regarded as indecent a ribald tale rife with double entendres and racy innuendo

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of ribald are coarse, gross, obscene, and vulgar. While all these words mean "offensive to good taste or morals," ribald applies to what is amusingly or picturesquely vulgar or irreverent or mildly indecent.

entertained the campers with ribald folk songs

Where would coarse be a reasonable alternative to ribald?

The synonyms coarse and ribald are sometimes interchangeable, but coarse implies roughness, rudeness, or crudeness of spirit, behavior, or language.

found the coarse humor of coworkers offensive

When can gross be used instead of ribald?

The meanings of gross and ribald largely overlap; however, gross implies extreme coarseness and insensitiveness.

gross eating habits

In what contexts can obscene take the place of ribald?

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

obscene language not allowed on the air

When might vulgar be a better fit than ribald?

The words vulgar and ribald are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, vulgar often implies boorishness or ill-breeding.

a loud vulgar belch

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 ribald But Beforeigners eschews the supernatural, and the campier teen soap elements, to deliver a thoughtful, moving, and often quite ribald and funny tale of various worlds colliding. — Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 21 Feb. 2020 Later, Society members on the city commission pulled funding from a chamber-of-commerce event, citing concerns about an allegedly ribald country-and-western band. — Emma Green, The Atlantic, 12 Dec. 2019 The Los Angeles artist, known for her ribald depictions of middle-aged men and babies (and baby men) wreaking all manner of havoc (bodily and otherwise), is presenting a series of paintings and videos. — Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2019 The Los Angeles artist, known for her ribald depictions of middle-aged men and babies (and baby men) wreaking all manner of havoc (bodily and otherwise), is presenting a new series of paintings and videos. — Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2019 See All Example Sentences for ribald
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ribald
  1. obscene
  2. suggestive
  3. vulgar
  4. spicy
  5. bawdy
  6. foul
  7. nasty
  8. dirty
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
Definition of obscene
Adjective
  • Its Monday grosses topped its Saturday receipts — unusual for any film and suggestive of the idea that the release is gaining strength.
    — Steven Zeitchik, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Mar. 2025
  • The results were suggestive but silly—streetwear for Wallace and Gromit.
    — Rebecca Mead, The New Yorker, 17 Mar. 2025
Definition of suggestive
Adjective
  • There is a ring on my finger that, to quote Rhett Butler, is the biggest and most vulgar ring in Atlanta (Maine), and a six-course, all-cheese dinner is awaiting us afterward.
    — Christine Murphy, People.com, 5 Mar. 2025
  • This goes double for vulgar and hateful content, which is a growing problem across social media.
    — Ella Cerón, Parents, 27 Feb. 2025
Definition of vulgar
Adjective
  • Their Small Batch Bourbon has received accolades for its smooth yet spicy character.
    — Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
  • The handful of flavor choices includes lemon and pistachio, which pair perfectly to cool off the spicy selections in your meal.
    — Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of spicy
Adjective
  • Despite the bawdy nature of the pic, A24 booked the movie in theaters over the holiday season as there’s always room for a hard-R play at the Christmas time box office.
    — Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 13 Mar. 2025
  • The high point of the Rhineland region carnival season, is its parades showcasing bawdy political satire.
    — Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of bawdy
Adjective
  • With 13:33 left in the game, McCaffery grew frustrated by a disparity in foul calls, blew his top and picked up a technical from official Brian Dorsey.
    — Scott Dochterman, The Athletic, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Davis grabbed the offensive rebound following Burton’s try for the win, and Austin was called for a foul down low.
    — Shane Connuck, Charlotte Observer, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of foul
Adjective
  • Interestingly, the feeling of abandonment mirrors the animating force of the nastiest parts of the American manosphere: the belief that men got left behind.
    — Doreen St. Félix, The New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2025
  • The 30-year-old eked out a split decision win in a battle of women who came in on nasty losing streaks.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Definition of nasty
Adjective
  • Not worrying about getting dirty or anything like that.
    — Kayla Grant, People.com, 21 Mar. 2025
  • These guys are out here sweating, getting their hands dirty.
    — Joe Davidson, Sacramento Bee, 21 Mar. 2025
Definition of dirty

Browse Nearby Words

rib
ribald
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on ribald

Nglish: Translation of ribald for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

More Commonly Misspelled Words

Words You Always Have to Look Up
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

More Words with Remarkable Origins

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Popular Features

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
dog-in-disguise
Rhyme Disguise Quiz Pair up words that look different but sound alike.
See All