释义
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( ɒbsiː n )
1. adjective If you describe something as obscene , you mean it offends you because it relates to sex or violence in a way that you think is unpleasant and shocking.
I'm not prudish but I think these photographs are obscene.
He continued to use obscene language and also to make threats.
Synonyms: indecent, dirty, offensive, gross More Synonyms of obscene
2. adjective In legal contexts, books, pictures, or films which are judged obscene are illegal because they deal with sex or violence in a way that is considered offensive to the general public.
A city magistrate ruled that the novel was obscene and copies should be destroyed.
The bill leaves it up to the courts to decide what is obscene.
...the Obscene Publications Act.
3. adjective If you describe something as obscene , you disapprove of it very strongly and consider it to be offensive or immoral.
[ disapproval] It was obscene to spend millions producing unwanted food.
His salary was obscene for three 40-minute shows a week.
Synonyms: offensive, shocking, evil, disgusting More Synonyms of obscene
obscene in British English ( əbˈsiːn )
adjective 1. offensive or outrageous to accepted standards of decency or modesty
2. law (of publications) having a tendency to deprave or corrupt
3. disgusting; repellent
an obscene massacre
Derived forms
obscenely ( obˈscenely) adverb
Word origin
C16: from Latin
obscēnus inauspicious, perhaps related to
caenum filth
obscene in American English ( ɑbˈsin ; əbˈsin)
adjective 1. offensive to one's feelings, or to prevailing notions, of modesty or decency; lewd
3. Law designating or of books, films, etc. which when judged by contemporary community standards, are found to appeal to a prurient interest in sex, be patently offensive, and have no serious artistic, scientific, or social value
SIMILAR WORDS: coarse
Derived forms
obscenely ( obˈscenely) adverb
Word origin
Fr
obscène < L
obscenus, obscaenus <
obs-, var. of
ob- (see ob-) +
caenum, filth < IE *
weino- < base *
kwei-, muck, filth > ON
hvein, swampy land
Examples of 'obscene' in a sentence obscene
The people who do the most to avoid paying tax are the ones who get paid obscene amounts. Do women use obscene language more than men do? Where do these obscene amounts of money end up? Two million pounds is an obscene amount to spend on one disgraced individual. They have discovered just what obscene amounts some bankers paid themselves. Umpires reported him for using language or gestures of an obscene or serious insulting nature to another player. His pay is obscene when you consider our country is in so much debt and hundreds of thousands are to set lose jobs. Scotland Yard said the matter would be dealt with by officers who look after obscene publications. Sometimes people express their disquiet with obscene language; other times it is constructive criticism. The only question will be whether any cross the boundary of jovial banter and risk being banned from their ground for something more obscene. A huge number complained that it was obscene and offensive. But let us get back to the money because, although considered obscene by many, to me it is anything but. A salary of 13.8 million is ludicrous, obscene and offensive in equal measure. In other languages obscene
British English :
obscene /
əbˈsiːn /
ADJECTIVE If you describe something as obscene , you mean it offends you because it relates to sex or violence in an unpleasant and shocking way.
I think these photographs are obscene.
American English : obscene Arabic : فَاحِشٌ Brazilian Portuguese : obsceno Chinese : 淫秽的 Croatian : opscen Czech : obscénní Danish : sjofel Dutch : obsceen European Spanish : obsceno Finnish : rivo French : obscène German : obszön Greek : άσεμνος Italian : osceno Japanese : 猥褻な Korean : 음탕한 Norwegian : uanstendig Polish : nieprzyzwoity European Portuguese : obsceno Romanian : obscen Russian : непристойный Latin American Spanish : obsceno Swedish : oanständig Thai : ลามก Turkish : açık saçık Ukrainian : непристойний Vietnamese : tục tĩu Chinese translation of 'obscene' adj (= offensive ) [gesture, remark, image] 猥亵(褻)的 (wěixiè de) (= immoral ) [wealth, income etc] 可憎的 (kězēng de)
Definition
offensive to accepted standards of decency or modesty
I'm no prude, but I think these photos are obscene.
Synonyms
offensive
vile
shameless
X-rated (informal)
unwholesome
scabrous
unchaste
Fescennine (rare)
Opposites
seemly
, pure
, decent
, proper
, modest
, refined
, respectable
, chaste
, inoffensive
, decorous
Definition
disgusting
It was obscene to spend millions producing unwanted food.
Additional synonyms Definition
very bad or unpleasant
The President described the attack as an abominable crime.
Synonyms
detestable ,
shocking ,
terrible (informal) ,
offensive ,
foul ,
disgusting ,
horrible ,
revolting ,
obscene ,
vile ,
horrid ,
repellent ,
atrocious ,
obnoxious ,
despicable ,
repulsive ,
base ,
heinous ,
hellish (informal) ,
odious ,
hateful ,
repugnant ,
reprehensible ,
loathsome ,
abhorrent ,
contemptible ,
villainous ,
nauseous ,
wretched ,
accursed ,
execrable ,
godawful (slang)
Definition
extremely cruel or wicked
The treatment of the prisoners was atrocious.
Synonyms
cruel ,
savage ,
brutal ,
vicious ,
ruthless ,
infamous ,
monstrous ,
wicked ,
barbaric ,
inhuman ,
diabolical ,
heinous ,
flagrant ,
infernal ,
fiendish ,
villainous ,
nefarious ,
horrifying ,
grievous Definition
(of language, writing, etc.) containing humorous references to sex
We got arrested once, for singing bawdy songs in a cemetery.
Synonyms
rude ,
blue (old-fashioned) ,
dirty ,
gross ,
crude ,
erotic ,
obscene ,
coarse ,
filthy ,
indecent ,
vulgar ,
improper ,
steamy (informal) ,
pornographic ,
raunchy (informal) ,
suggestive ,
racy ,
lewd ,
risqué ,
X-rated (informal) ,
salacious (formal) ,
prurient (formal) ,
lascivious (formal) ,
smutty ,
lustful ,
lecherous ,
ribald ,
libidinous (formal) ,
licentious (formal) ,
indelicate ,
near the knuckle (informal) ,
indecorous (formal)
oblivious obloquy obnoxious obscene obscenity obscure obscurity
Additional synonyms Definition
pornographic
blue movies
Synonyms
smutty ,
dirty ,
naughty ,
obscene ,
indecent ,
vulgar ,
lewd ,
risqué ,
X-rated (informal) ,
bawdy ,
near the knuckle (informal)
Definition
unrefined or indecent
He has a very coarse sense of humour.
Synonyms
vulgar ,
offensive ,
rude ,
indecent ,
improper ,
raunchy (informal) ,
earthy ,
foul-mouthed ,
bawdy ,
impure ,
smutty ,
impolite ,
ribald ,
immodest ,
indelicate Definition
morally bad
It has been condemned as the most depraved film of its kind.
Synonyms
corrupt ,
abandoned ,
perverted ,
evil ,
vicious ,
degraded ,
vile ,
degenerate ,
immoral ,
wicked ,
shameless ,
sinful ,
lewd ,
debased ,
profligate ,
debauched ,
lascivious ,
dissolute ,
licentious ,
pervy (slang)
I find their poor work ethic detestable.
Synonyms
hateful ,
shocking ,
offensive ,
disgusting ,
revolting ,
obscene ,
vile ,
obnoxious ,
despicable ,
repulsive ,
abhorred ,
heinous ,
odious ,
repugnant ,
loathsome ,
abominable ,
accursed ,
execrable ,
yucky or yukky (slang) ,
yucko (Australian , slang)
Definition
obscene
He laughed at their dirty jokes.
Synonyms
obscene ,
rude ,
coarse ,
indecent ,
blue (old-fashioned) ,
offensive ,
gross ,
filthy ,
vulgar ,
pornographic ,
sleazy ,
suggestive ,
lewd ,
risqué ,
X-rated (informal) ,
bawdy ,
salacious ,
smutty ,
off-colour ,
unwholesome ,
page-three (old-fashioned)
The curry was disgusting.
Synonyms
sickening ,
foul ,
revolting ,
gross ,
nasty ,
stinking ,
vulgar ,
vile ,
distasteful ,
repellent ,
obnoxious ,
objectionable ,
nauseating ,
odious ,
hateful ,
repugnant ,
loathsome ,
abominable ,
nauseous ,
grotty (slang) ,
detestable ,
cringe-making (British , informal) ,
noisome ,
yucky or yukky (slang) ,
festy (Australian , slang) ,
yucko (Australian , slang)
Definition
very unpleasant
There was an evil stench in the room.
Synonyms
offensive ,
nasty ,
foul ,
unpleasant ,
vile ,
noxious ,
disagreeable ,
putrid ,
pestilential ,
mephitic The play was full of filthy foul language.
Synonyms
obscene ,
foul ,
corrupt ,
coarse ,
indecent ,
pornographic ,
suggestive ,
lewd ,
depraved ,
foul-mouthed ,
X-rated (informal) ,
bawdy ,
impure ,
smutty ,
licentious ,
dirty-minded
Definition
(of language) obscene or vulgar
He was sent off for using foul language.
Synonyms
obscene ,
crude ,
indecent ,
foul-mouthed ,
low ,
blue ,
dirty ,
gross ,
abusive ,
coarse ,
filthy ,
vulgar ,
lewd ,
profane ,
blasphemous ,
scurrilous ,
smutty ,
scatological
Definition
disgusting or repulsive
That's a disgusting thing to say – you're so gross!
Synonyms
vulgar ,
offensive ,
crude ,
rude ,
obscene ,
low ,
coarse ,
indecent ,
improper ,
unseemly ,
lewd ,
X-rated (informal) ,
impure ,
smutty ,
ribald ,
indelicate
Additional synonyms Definition
evil and shocking
They are capable of the most heinous acts.
Synonyms
shocking ,
evil ,
monstrous ,
grave ,
awful ,
vicious ,
outrageous ,
revolting ,
infamous ,
hideous ,
unspeakable ,
atrocious ,
flagrant ,
odious ,
hateful ,
abhorrent ,
abominable ,
villainous ,
nefarious ,
iniquitous ,
execrable Definition
behaving in an indecent or improper manner
Noni doesn't like the immodest outfits and dancing.
Synonyms
indecent ,
improper ,
lewd ,
revealing ,
obscene ,
coarse ,
immoral ,
depraved ,
titillating ,
bawdy ,
flirtatious ,
impure ,
indelicate ,
indecorous ,
unchaste ,
gross Definition
sexually depraved or promiscuous
It is immoral to persist with a system that impoverishes so many people.
Synonyms
wicked ,
bad ,
wrong ,
abandoned ,
evil ,
corrupt ,
vicious ,
obscene ,
indecent ,
vile ,
degenerate ,
dishonest ,
sinful ,
unethical ,
lewd ,
depraved ,
impure ,
debauched ,
unprincipled ,
nefarious ,
dissolute ,
iniquitous ,
reprobate Definition
indecent
The politicians denied any improper behaviour.
Synonyms
indecent ,
vulgar ,
suggestive ,
unseemly ,
untoward ,
risqué ,
smutty ,
unbecoming ,
unfitting ,
impolite ,
off-colour ,
indelicate ,
indecorous Definition
immoral or obscene
He was accused of having impure motives.
Synonyms
immoral ,
corrupt ,
obscene ,
indecent ,
gross ,
coarse ,
lewd ,
carnal ,
X-rated (informal) ,
salacious ,
unclean ,
prurient ,
lascivious ,
smutty ,
lustful ,
ribald ,
immodest ,
licentious ,
indelicate ,
unchaste Definition
offensive, embarrassing, or tasteless
She could not touch upon such an indelicate subject.
Synonyms
offensive ,
indecent ,
vulgar ,
low ,
blue ,
embarrassing ,
gross ,
crude ,
rude ,
obscene ,
coarse ,
improper ,
suggestive ,
tasteless ,
unseemly ,
untoward ,
risqué ,
X-rated (informal) ,
unbecoming ,
off-colour ,
immodest ,
near the knuckle (informal) ,
indecorous ,
barro (Australian , slang)
Definition
showing or producing sexual desire
their lewd and lascivious talk
Synonyms
bawdy ,
dirty ,
offensive ,
crude ,
obscene ,
coarse ,
indecent ,
blue ,
vulgar ,
immoral ,
pornographic ,
suggestive ,
X-rated (informal) ,
scurrilous ,
smutty ,
ribald Definition
indecently vulgar
The embattled mayor apologized for making lewd remarks to reporters.
Synonyms
indecent ,
obscene ,
vulgar ,
dirty ,
blue ,
loose (old-fashioned) ,
vile ,
pornographic ,
wicked ,
wanton ,
X-rated (informal) ,
profligate ,
bawdy ,
salacious ,
impure ,
lascivious ,
smutty ,
lustful ,
libidinous ,
licentious ,
unchaste Definition
sexually unrestrained or promiscuous
alarming stories of licentious behaviour
Synonyms
promiscuous ,
immoral ,
lewd ,
debauched ,
abandoned ,
sensual ,
uncontrollable ,
uncontrolled ,
wanton ,
profligate ,
impure ,
lascivious ,
lustful ,
dissolute ,
libertine ,
libidinous ,
lubricious (literary) ,
uncurbed
Definition
causing loathing
the loathsome spectacle we were obliged to witness
Synonyms
hateful ,
offensive ,
nasty ,
disgusting ,
horrible ,
revolting ,
obscene ,
vile ,
obnoxious ,
repulsive ,
nauseating ,
odious ,
repugnant ,
abhorrent ,
abominable ,
execrable ,
detestable ,
yucky or yukky (slang) ,
yucko (Australian , slang)
Additional synonyms Definition
sexually promiscuous
loose morals
Synonyms
promiscuous ,
fast ,
abandoned ,
immoral ,
dissipated ,
lewd ,
wanton ,
profligate ,
disreputable ,
debauched ,
dissolute ,
libertine ,
licentious ,
unchaste The judge described the offences as nauseating and unspeakable.
Synonyms
disgusting ,
offensive ,
appalling ,
nasty ,
foul ,
revolting ,
sickening ,
ghastly ,
vile ,
obnoxious ,
repulsive ,
odious ,
repugnant ,
loathsome ,
abhorrent ,
abominable ,
stomach-churning ,
stomach-turning ,
repellant ,
sick-making
Definition
extremely unpleasant
The people at my table were so obnoxious, I had to leave.
Synonyms
loathsome ,
offensive ,
nasty ,
foul ,
disgusting ,
unpleasant ,
revolting ,
obscene ,
sickening ,
vile ,
horrid (informal) ,
repellent ,
repulsive ,
objectionable ,
disagreeable ,
nauseating ,
odious ,
hateful ,
repugnant ,
reprehensible ,
abhorrent ,
abominable ,
insufferable ,
execrable ,
detestable ,
hateable ,
dislikable or dislikeable ,
yucky or yukky (slang) ,
yucko (Australian , slang)
Definition
offensive or hateful
He's the most odious man I have ever met.
Synonyms
offensive ,
nasty ,
foul ,
disgusting ,
horrible ,
unpleasant ,
revolting ,
obscene ,
sickening ,
vile ,
horrid ,
repellent ,
unsavoury ,
obnoxious ,
unpalatable ,
repulsive ,
disagreeable ,
nauseating ,
hateful ,
repugnant ,
loathsome ,
abhorrent ,
abominable ,
execrable ,
detestable ,
yucky or yukky (slang) ,
yucko (Australian , slang)
Definition
unusual and shocking
I must apologize for my friend's outrageous behaviour.
Synonyms
atrocious ,
shocking ,
terrible ,
violent ,
offensive ,
appalling ,
cruel ,
savage ,
horrible ,
beastly ,
horrifying ,
vicious ,
ruthless ,
infamous ,
disgraceful ,
scandalous ,
wicked ,
barbaric ,
unspeakable ,
inhuman ,
diabolical ,
heinous ,
flagrant ,
egregious ,
abominable ,
infernal ,
fiendish ,
villainous ,
nefarious ,
iniquitous ,
execrable ,
godawful (slang) ,
hellacious (US , slang)
I found out he'd been watching pornographic videos.
Synonyms
obscene ,
erotic ,
indecent ,
blue ,
dirty ,
offensive ,
rude ,
sexy ,
filthy ,
lewd ,
risqué ,
X-rated (informal) ,
salacious ,
prurient ,
smutty Definition
exciting lustfulness
the film's harshly prurient and cynical sex scenes
Synonyms
indecent ,
dirty ,
erotic ,
obscene ,
steamy (informal) ,
pornographic ,
X-rated (informal) ,
salacious ,
smutty Definition
disgusting or distasteful
She still found the place repellent.
Synonyms
disgusting ,
offensive ,
revolting ,
obscene ,
sickening ,
distasteful ,
horrid (informal) ,
obnoxious ,
repulsive ,
noxious ,
nauseating ,
odious ,
hateful ,
repugnant ,
off-putting (British , informal) ,
loathsome ,
abhorrent ,
abominable ,
cringe-making (British , informal) ,
yucky or yukky (slang) ,
yucko (Australian , slang) ,
discouraging Definition
horrible and disgusting
The smell in the cell was revolting.
Synonyms
disgusting ,
shocking ,
offensive ,
appalling ,
nasty ,
foul ,
horrible ,
obscene ,
sickening ,
distasteful ,
horrid (informal) ,
repellent ,
obnoxious ,
repulsive ,
nauseating ,
repugnant ,
loathsome ,
abhorrent ,
abominable ,
nauseous ,
cringe-making (British , informal) ,
noisome ,
yucky or yukky (slang) ,
yucko (Australian , slang)
Definition
coarse or obscene in a humorous or mocking way
her ribald comments about a guest's body language
Synonyms
coarse ,
rude ,
indecent ,
racy ,
blue ,
broad ,
gross ,
naughty ,
obscene ,
filthy ,
vulgar ,
raunchy (informal) ,
earthy ,
risqué ,
X-rated (informal) ,
bawdy ,
scurrilous ,
smutty ,
off colour ,
licentious ,
near the knuckle (informal) ,
Rabelaisian
Additional synonyms Definition
(of books, films, or jokes) concerned with sex in an unnecessarily detailed way
a wildly salacious novel
Synonyms
obscene ,
indecent ,
pornographic ,
blue ,
erotic ,
steamy (informal) ,
lewd ,
X-rated (informal) ,
bawdy ,
smutty ,
lustful ,
ribald ,
ruttish
Definition
causing dismay or disgust
This was a shocking invasion of privacy.
Synonyms
appalling ,
outrageous ,
disgraceful ,
offensive ,
distressing ,
disgusting ,
horrible ,
dreadful ,
horrifying ,
revolting ,
obscene ,
sickening ,
ghastly ,
hideous ,
monstrous ,
scandalous ,
disquieting ,
unspeakable ,
atrocious ,
repulsive ,
nauseating ,
odious ,
loathsome ,
abominable ,
stupefying ,
hellacious (US , slang)
Definition
causing horror or disgust
This was a sickening attack on a defenceless creature.
Synonyms
disgusting ,
revolting ,
vile ,
offensive ,
foul ,
distasteful ,
repulsive ,
nauseating ,
loathsome ,
nauseous ,
gut-wrenching ,
putrid ,
stomach-turning (informal) ,
cringe-making (British , informal) ,
noisome ,
yucky or yukky (slang) ,
yucko (Australian , slang)
She said she detested smutty jokes.
Synonyms
obscene ,
dirty ,
crude ,
coarse ,
filthy ,
indecent ,
vulgar ,
improper ,
blue ,
pornographic ,
raunchy (informal) ,
suggestive ,
racy ,
lewd ,
risqué ,
X-rated (informal) ,
bawdy ,
salacious ,
prurient ,
off colour ,
indelicate Definition
(of remarks or gestures) causing people to think of sex
An employee claimed he made suggestive remarks.
Synonyms
smutty ,
rude ,
indecent ,
improper ,
blue ,
provocative ,
spicy (informal) ,
racy ,
unseemly ,
titillating ,
risqué ,
bawdy ,
prurient ,
off colour ,
ribald ,
immodest ,
indelicate Synonyms
impure ,
fallen ,
loose (old-fashioned) ,
immoral ,
promiscuous ,
lewd ,
depraved ,
wanton ,
dissolute ,
immodest ,
unvirtuous
Definition
disgusting
the vile smell of mouldy cheese
Synonyms
disgusting ,
foul ,
revolting ,
offensive ,
nasty ,
obscene ,
sickening ,
horrid (informal) ,
repellent ,
repulsive ,
noxious ,
nauseating ,
repugnant ,
loathsome ,
yucky or yukky (slang) ,
yucko (Australian , slang)
Definition
morally bad
She flew at me, shouting how evil and wicked I was.
Synonyms
bad ,
evil ,
corrupt ,
vile ,
guilty ,
abandoned ,
foul ,
vicious ,
worthless ,
shameful ,
immoral ,
scandalous ,
atrocious ,
sinful ,
heinous ,
depraved ,
debased ,
devilish ,
amoral ,
egregious ,
abominable ,
fiendish ,
villainous ,
unprincipled ,
nefarious ,
dissolute ,
iniquitous ,
irreligious ,
black-hearted ,
impious ,
unrighteous ,
maleficent ,
flagitious