1
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
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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4
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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5
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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of vulgar
The intrigue: A couple was having quite a loud, vulgar kickup about drug prescriptions in the booth near me before they were silenced by a mall cop on a Segway.
—
Mike Deehan, Axios, 21 Mar. 2025
Over time, authorities also sidelined activities like sumo wrestling—considered vulgar by Westerners—in favor of baseball, boating, mountain climbing, and other activities popular in the West.
—Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 23 Mar. 2025
Cornelius said that the superintendent later informed her of other prior incidents including her son — who has autism and is nonverbal — getting a shower without her permission, getting called vulgar names by staff and teachers, and receiving other inappropriate comments.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Mar. 2025
Nembhard was ejected later in overtime for using vulgar language towards an official twice.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for vulgar
Mike Deehan, Axios, 21 Mar. 2025
Over time, authorities also sidelined activities like sumo wrestling—considered vulgar by Westerners—in favor of baseball, boating, mountain climbing, and other activities popular in the West.
—Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 23 Mar. 2025
Cornelius said that the superintendent later informed her of other prior incidents including her son — who has autism and is nonverbal — getting a shower without her permission, getting called vulgar names by staff and teachers, and receiving other inappropriate comments.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Mar. 2025
Nembhard was ejected later in overtime for using vulgar language towards an official twice.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for vulgar
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vulgar
Adjective
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The survey's measure of consumer sentiment dropped to a level lower than at any point during the Great Recession.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
11 Apr. 2025
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Trust Is Built In Small Moments Like This For a co-op like Cabot Creamery, maintaining consumer trust means being transparent—even when the stakes are low.—
Stephanie Gravalese,
Forbes.com,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Presented at the Institute of Contemporary Arts, London, in 1976 as part of a group show of artists’ books, Santoro’s volume was immediately censored as obscene and offensive.—
Paola Ugolini,
Artforum,
1 Apr. 2025
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Cybertruck owners have shared displays of hostility from other motorists on a Facebook page, including vulgar notes left on their vehicles and obscene gestures directed at them from passing cars.—
Gabe Hauari,
USA TODAY,
11 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The Denver Nuggets fired head coach Michael Malone and general manager Calvin Booth on Tuesday.—
Ryan Canfield,
FOXNews.com,
8 Apr. 2025
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Also out: general manager Calvin Booth, whose contract will not be renewed.—
Tim Reynolds,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Trump sued Maher in 2013 for $5 million after Maher made a crass joke about Trump’s mother and an orangutan.—
Elizabeth Crisp,
The Hill,
31 Mar. 2025
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He’s been accused of misogyny, thanks to his occasionally crass and combative online takes.—
Mankaprr Conteh,
Rolling Stone,
19 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Because back nine is close to backside, and backside is just far too colloquial.—
Paulina Dedaj,
FOXNews.com,
8 Apr. 2025
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Russ Scholl, a ski instructor at Breckenridge Ski Resort, has published a 133-square grid of funky colloquial phrases for different types of snow.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
24 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
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The incident sparked mixed reactions on social media, with some criticizing Wallen’s actions on the show as rude.—
Mitchell Peters,
Billboard,
30 Mar. 2025
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This, experts say, is a punctuation choice that can make messages appear uncertain or vague, which confuses recipients and sometimes comes off as passive aggressive and rude.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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This therapist speaks in a very specific kind of vernacular.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
27 Mar. 2025
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With Elordi’s star on the rise, that can only be a matter of time, even if the slangy vernacular of the wartime sections will require subtitles.—
David Rooney,
The Hollywood Reporter,
15 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Vulgar.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vulgar. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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