obscene

adjective

ob·scene äb-ˈsēn How to pronounce obscene (audio)

əb-

: disgusting to the senses : repulsive

: abhorrent to morality or virtue

specifically : designed to incite to lust or depravity

… the dance often becomes flagrantly obscene and definitely provocative …

Margaret Mead

: containing or being language regarded as taboo in polite usage

obscene lyrics

obscene literature

: repulsive by reason of crass disregard of moral or ethical principles

an obscene misuse of power

: so excessive as to be offensive

obscene wealth

obscene waste

obscenely adverb

Example Sentences

He was accused of making obscene phone calls. He made an obscene gesture at the driver who cut him off. The company's executives earn obscene salaries. He spends an obscene amount of money on clothes.

Recent Examples on the Web For example, Baskervill wrote that Virginia law doesn't give her the specific authority to determine whether the books are obscene for minors.

Ben Finley, USA TODAY, 31 Aug. 2022 For example, Baskervill wrote that Virginia law doesn't give her the specific authority to determine whether the books are obscene for minors.

Ben Finley, ajc, 30 Aug. 2022 And subscription snack boxes keep my munchies at bay without my having to forage for the most obscene flavor of Combos at my local bodega or raid the BA test kitchen for pecan nubs left over from muffin recipe testing.

Bon Appétit, 19 Apr. 2022 Cuzela implored the board to audit all of the district’s library books and get rid of those that are too obscene to be read aloud in public.

NBC News, 2 Feb. 2022 On Saturday night, Jayapal called 911 to report that someone was outside her home using obscene language and may have fired a pellet gun, according to a probable cause statement from Seattle police obtained by King 5 News.

Washington Post, 14 July 2022 The changes also abolished a provision prohibiting the use of obscene language on signs.

John Hilliard, BostonGlobe.com, 6 July 2022 The Ukrainian Postal Service issued a stamp showing the soldier making an obscene gesture to the Russian cruiser Moskva, which sank in April.

New York Times, 1 July 2022 Winker, during Sunday’s scrum, later got in the face of Nevin, voicing his anger over the situation, then made an obscene gesture to the Angel Stadium crowd on his way off the field after getting ejected.

Sarah Valenzuela, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2022 See More

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, "offensively indecent," borrowed from Latin obscēnus, obscaenus "ill-omened, unpropitious, evoking disgust, loathsome, indecent, lewd," of uncertain origin

Note: M. de Vaan (Etymological Dictionary of Latin and the Other Italic Languages, Brill, 2008), following a suggestion by Ernout and Meillet, connects obscaenus (if this was the earliest form) with scaevus "left, on the left-hand side, inauspicious," and proposes an original *ob-skai-no- "coming from the left, unpropitious," from Indo-European *skeh₂i- "in shadow."

First Known Use

1593, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Legal Definition

obscene

adjective

ob·scene äb-ˈsēn How to pronounce obscene (audio)

: extremely or deeply offensive according to contemporary community standards of morality or decency see also Roth v. United States

Note: The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that obscene applies to materials that appeal predominantly to a prurient interest in sexual conduct, depict or describe sexual conduct in a patently offensive way, and lack serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value. Material or expression deemed obscene by the court is not protected by the free speech guarantee of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

obscene

adjective

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

pornographic
vulgar
foul
indecent
filthy
nasty
gross
dirty
unacceptable
crude
disgusting
suggestive
lewd
profane
offensive
lascivious
obnoxious
raunchy
unpleasant
naughty
bawdy
undesirable
abusive
ribald
trashy
smutty
blue
impure
unprintable
unwanted
coarse
wanton
gutter
X-rated
stag
porny
salacious
risqué
infamous
objectionable
broad
immodest
perverted
wicked
scatological
indecorous
depraved
indelicate
perverse
repulsive
repugnant
loathsome
racy
low
revolting
unbecoming
abhorrent
distasteful
locker-room
soft
off
off-color
unwelcome
reprehensible
kinky
debasing
earthy
salty
scurrilous
gamy
louche
off-colored
atrocious
exceptionable
repellent
barnyard
censurable
blameworthy
gamey
blamable
coarse-grained
repellant
soft-core
hard-core

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

wholesome
decent
prudish
puritanical
clean
innocuous
proper
acceptable
correct
priggish
appropriate
polite
respectable
prim
seemly
nice
desirable
staid
decorous
genteel
nonobscene
inoffensive
G-rated
pleasant
straitlaced
suitable
agreeable
pleasing
pure
welcome
becoming
perfect
meet
straightlaced
Victorian
fit
immaculate
spotless
virginal
approved
endorsed
sanctioned
indorsed

as in disgusting

causing intense displeasure, disgust, or resentment that ugly new store is really an obscene bit of architecture

Synonyms & Similar Words

disgusting
ugly
awful
sickening
hideous
horrible
shocking
offensive
obnoxious
dreadful
nasty
unpleasant
gross
appalling
repugnant
scandalous
abominable
repulsive
loathsome
distasteful
odious
evil
abhorrent
revolting
gruesome
noxious
nauseating
horrific
horrid
horrendous
terrible
vile
disturbing
undesirable
foul
noisome
objectionable
rancid
fulsome
repellent
nauseous
monstrous
hateful
unwanted
horrifying
heinous
disagreeable
unspeakable
unwholesome
contemptible
repellant
despicable
lurid
ghastly
miserable
detestable
unhealthy
grim
atrocious
barbarous
grisly
nightmarish
ungodly
macabre
unsavory
uncivilized
unholy
frightful
exceptionable
execrable
unwelcome
lousy
sick
upsetting
hard
unchristian
brackish
sickly
dislikable
dislikeable
off-putting
distressing
sickish
grewsome

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

innocuous
acceptable
desirable
alluring
inoffensive
attractive
sweet
delightful
delicious
pleasant
appealing
agreeable
pleasurable
luscious
nice
heavenly
enjoyable
satisfying
congenial
palatable
delectable
dreamy
pleasing
gratifying
welcome
felicitous
inviting
darling
unobjectionable
dulcet
savory
savoury
likable
likeable
blessed
unexceptionable
blest
wholesome
healthy
healthful
salubrious
salutary
delightsome
restorative

Synonym Chooser

Some common synonyms of obscene are coarse, gross, ribald, and vulgar. While all these words mean "offensive to good taste or morals," obscene applies to anything strongly repulsive to the sense of decency and propriety especially in sexual matters.

obscene language not allowed on the air

While the synonyms coarse and obscene are close in meaning, coarse implies roughness, rudeness, or crudeness of spirit, behavior, or language.

found the coarse humor of coworkers offensive

The words gross and obscene can be used in similar contexts, but gross implies extreme coarseness and insensitiveness.

gross eating habits

The words ribald and obscene are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, ribald applies to what is amusingly or picturesquely vulgar or irreverent or mildly indecent.

entertained the campers with ribald folk songs

The synonyms vulgar and obscene are sometimes interchangeable, but vulgar often implies boorishness or ill-breeding.

a loud vulgar belch

单词	obscene
释义	obscene adjective ob·scene äb-ˈsēn əb- 1 : disgusting to the senses : repulsive 2 a : abhorrent to morality or virtue specifically : designed to incite to lust or depravity … the dance often becomes flagrantly obscene and definitely provocative … Margaret Mead b : containing or being language regarded as taboo in polite usage obscene lyrics obscene literature c : repulsive by reason of crass disregard of moral or ethical principles an obscene misuse of power d : so excessive as to be offensive obscene wealth obscene waste obscenely adverb Synonyms bawdy blue coarse crude dirty filthy foul gross gutter impure indecent lascivious lewd locker-room nasty pornographic porny profane raunchy ribald smutty stag trashy unprintable vulgar wanton X-rated See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences He was accused of making obscene phone calls. He made an obscene gesture at the driver who cut him off. The company's executives earn obscene salaries. He spends an obscene amount of money on clothes. Recent Examples on the Web For example, Baskervill wrote that Virginia law doesn't give her the specific authority to determine whether the books are obscene for minors. Ben Finley, USA TODAY, 31 Aug. 2022 For example, Baskervill wrote that Virginia law doesn't give her the specific authority to determine whether the books are obscene for minors. Ben Finley, ajc, 30 Aug. 2022 And subscription snack boxes keep my munchies at bay without my having to forage for the most obscene flavor of Combos at my local bodega or raid the BA test kitchen for pecan nubs left over from muffin recipe testing. Bon Appétit, 19 Apr. 2022 Cuzela implored the board to audit all of the district’s library books and get rid of those that are too obscene to be read aloud in public. NBC News, 2 Feb. 2022 On Saturday night, Jayapal called 911 to report that someone was outside her home using obscene language and may have fired a pellet gun, according to a probable cause statement from Seattle police obtained by King 5 News. Washington Post, 14 July 2022 The changes also abolished a provision prohibiting the use of obscene language on signs. John Hilliard, BostonGlobe.com, 6 July 2022 The Ukrainian Postal Service issued a stamp showing the soldier making an obscene gesture to the Russian cruiser Moskva, which sank in April. New York Times, 1 July 2022 Winker, during Sunday’s scrum, later got in the face of Nevin, voicing his anger over the situation, then made an obscene gesture to the Angel Stadium crowd on his way off the field after getting ejected. Sarah Valenzuela, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2022 See More Word History Etymology borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, "offensively indecent," borrowed from Latin obscēnus, obscaenus "ill-omened, unpropitious, evoking disgust, loathsome, indecent, lewd," of uncertain origin Note: M. de Vaan (Etymological Dictionary of Latin and the Other Italic Languages, Brill, 2008), following a suggestion by Ernout and Meillet, connects obscaenus (if this was the earliest form) with scaevus "left, on the left-hand side, inauspicious," and proposes an original ob-skai-no- "coming from the left, unpropitious," from Indo-European skeh₂i- "in shadow." First Known Use 1593, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Kids Definition obscene adjective ob·scene äb-ˈsēn əb- : very shocking to a person's sense of what is moral or decent Legal Definition obscene adjective ob·scene äb-ˈsēn : extremely or deeply offensive according to contemporary community standards of morality or decency see also Roth v. United States Note: The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that obscene applies to materials that appeal predominantly to a prurient interest in sexual conduct, depict or describe sexual conduct in a patently offensive way, and lack serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value. Material or expression deemed obscene by the court is not protected by the free speech guarantee of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. History and Etymology for obscene Middle French, from Latin obscenus obscaenus indecent, lewd obscene adjective 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 pornographic vulgar foul indecent filthy nasty gross dirty unacceptable crude disgusting suggestive lewd profane offensive lascivious obnoxious raunchy unpleasant naughty bawdy undesirable abusive ribald trashy smutty blue impure unprintable unwanted coarse wanton gutter X-rated stag porny salacious risqué infamous objectionable broad immodest perverted wicked scatological indecorous depraved indelicate perverse repulsive repugnant loathsome racy low revolting unbecoming abhorrent distasteful locker-room soft off off-color unwelcome reprehensible kinky debasing earthy salty scurrilous gamy louche off-colored atrocious exceptionable repellent barnyard censurable blameworthy gamey blamable coarse-grained repellant soft-core hard-core Antonyms & Near Antonyms wholesome decent prudish puritanical clean innocuous proper acceptable correct priggish appropriate polite respectable prim seemly nice desirable staid decorous genteel nonobscene inoffensive G-rated pleasant straitlaced suitable agreeable pleasing pure welcome becoming perfect meet straightlaced Victorian fit immaculate spotless virginal approved endorsed sanctioned indorsed See More 2 as in disgusting causing intense displeasure, disgust, or resentment that ugly new store is really an obscene bit of architecture Synonyms & Similar Words disgusting ugly awful sickening hideous horrible shocking offensive obnoxious dreadful nasty unpleasant gross appalling repugnant scandalous abominable repulsive loathsome distasteful odious evil abhorrent revolting gruesome noxious nauseating horrific horrid horrendous terrible vile disturbing undesirable foul noisome objectionable rancid fulsome repellent nauseous monstrous hateful unwanted horrifying heinous disagreeable unspeakable unwholesome contemptible repellant despicable lurid ghastly miserable detestable unhealthy grim atrocious barbarous grisly nightmarish ungodly macabre unsavory uncivilized unholy frightful exceptionable execrable unwelcome lousy sick upsetting hard unchristian brackish sickly dislikable dislikeable off-putting distressing sickish grewsome Antonyms & Near Antonyms innocuous acceptable desirable alluring inoffensive attractive sweet delightful delicious pleasant appealing agreeable pleasurable luscious nice heavenly enjoyable satisfying congenial palatable delectable dreamy pleasing gratifying welcome felicitous inviting darling unobjectionable dulcet savory savoury likable likeable blessed unexceptionable blest wholesome healthy healthful salubrious salutary delightsome restorative See More Synonym Chooser Some common synonyms of obscene are coarse, gross, ribald, and vulgar. While all these words mean "offensive to good taste or morals," obscene applies to anything strongly repulsive to the sense of decency and propriety especially in sexual matters. obscene language not allowed on the air While the synonyms coarse and obscene are close in meaning, coarse implies roughness, rudeness, or crudeness of spirit, behavior, or language. found the coarse humor of coworkers offensive The words gross and obscene can be used in similar contexts, but gross implies extreme coarseness and insensitiveness. gross eating habits The words ribald and obscene are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, ribald applies to what is amusingly or picturesquely vulgar or irreverent or mildly indecent. entertained the campers with ribald folk songs The synonyms vulgar and obscene are sometimes interchangeable, but vulgar often implies boorishness or ill-breeding. a loud vulgar belch
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obscene

adjective

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Kids Definition

adjective

Legal Definition

adjective

adjective

Synonym Chooser