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
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Recent Examples of obscene
The amount of cash being tossed around is obscene, and that’s part of what makes the show guiltily watchable.
—
James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Feb. 2025
Flashback: Wills also introduced a bill last year requiring cell phone and tablet manufacturers to include a filter preventing devices from displaying what the state defines as obscene content to minors.
—Jason Clayworth, Axios, 28 Jan. 2025
This update prohibits attire and body art considered obscene, offensive, or excessively revealing.
—Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 24 Jan. 2025
During the ’90s, protesters decried Marilyn Manson’s music and performances as offensive, obscene, satanic, degrading toward women, and promoting violence and abuse; fans and supporters argued that the shock value was actually in service of thought-provoking social commentary.
—Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 24 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obscene
James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Feb. 2025
Flashback: Wills also introduced a bill last year requiring cell phone and tablet manufacturers to include a filter preventing devices from displaying what the state defines as obscene content to minors.
—Jason Clayworth, Axios, 28 Jan. 2025
This update prohibits attire and body art considered obscene, offensive, or excessively revealing.
—Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 24 Jan. 2025
During the ’90s, protesters decried Marilyn Manson’s music and performances as offensive, obscene, satanic, degrading toward women, and promoting violence and abuse; fans and supporters argued that the shock value was actually in service of thought-provoking social commentary.
—Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 24 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obscene
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obscene
Adjective
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The desire to avoid portraying her character’s actions as simply disgusting led de Van to play the lead role herself, in spite of the challenges that created for her as a first-time feature director.—
Jim Hemphill,
IndieWire,
27 Feb. 2025
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Selena Gomez has called out 'disgusting' weight shame As a former child star who grew up in the public eye, Gomez has long been subjected to conversations surrounding her weight.—
Jay Stahl,
USA TODAY,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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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
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Her Facebook and email had been flooded with vulgar, inflammatory responses.—
Alyssa Goldberg,
USA TODAY,
24 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The advanced metrics paint an ugly picture for the Suns as well over that span: 114.0 OffRtg (11th), 117.3 DefRtg (27th), -3.2 NetRtg (21st).—
Evan Sidery,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
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Or the constitutional dystopia in which we are now caught, beside which even the ugliest onscreen villainy pales into insignificance?—
Justin Chang,
The New Yorker,
28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The fourth quarter was not without controversy: With 4:27 left in the game, Rockets guard Amen Thompson was ejected for a flagrant foul 2 against Giannis Antetokounmpo where he got caught in the air trying to contest Antetokounmpo’s shot and then pulled him down by his head.—
Eric Nehm,
The Athletic,
26 Feb. 2025
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Peavy scored 14 points before reaching the foul limit in the Jan. 11 loss to UConn.—
Joe Arruda,
Hartford Courant,
25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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For a large part, the Heat’s supporting pieces have been awful this season.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
25 Feb. 2025
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Hollywood continued to celebrate the fearless first responders who worked to save lives and property during the awful Los Angeles wildfires last month.—
Erik Pedersen,
Deadline,
23 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Poles needs to find difference-makers, nasty offensive linemen, game-wrecking defensive linemen, ravenous pass rushers … again, the Bears have a lot of needs.—
Jon Greenberg,
The Athletic,
26 Feb. 2025
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Meanwhile, Stacey woke up with a nasty hangover from the night prior.—
Abigail Adams,
People.com,
25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Rosemary Farm in Santa Maria, California, has struggled to get by as bird flu ravages poultry populations across the U.S., sickening and killing birds and causing egg prices to spike.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA TODAY,
14 Feb. 2025
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Plastic straws were also noted sticking out of sea turtle nostrils, and sickening or killing seabirds, fish, manatees, dolphins and other marine mammals.—
Susanne Rust,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Impacted national park and forest employees say fewer workers will lead to longer lines, filthy bathrooms and unsafe hiking and camping conditions at America's precious public lands.—
Marlene Lenthang,
NBC News,
24 Feb. 2025
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Between sweat, body oils, dust, dirt, hair, and grime, yoga mats, weights, and treadmills can get pretty filthy.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Feb. 2025
Articles Related to obscene
Cite this Entry
“Obscene.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obscene. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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