1
as in curse
a disrespectful or indecent word or expression
a rap song that is filled with profanities
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in vulgarity
the quality or state of being obscene
once notorious for its profanity, that 1950s best seller will strike today's readers as lamentably tame
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of profanity
Lemon’s video contains profanity and a racial slur.
—
Angel Saunders, People.com, 4 Feb. 2025
Drill sergeants now minimize their use of profanity, insults and degrading remarks and strive to become support figures for trainees.
—Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY, 25 Jan. 2025
In some corners, stripping the songs of profanities and toning down references doesn’t make adult songs kid appropriate.
—Sopan Deb, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2025
Animal Noises The original poster (OP) explained that the group of seven young diners was rowdy, using excessive profanity and making animal noises while ordering the most expensive entrees and desserts.
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 8 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for profanity
Angel Saunders, People.com, 4 Feb. 2025
Drill sergeants now minimize their use of profanity, insults and degrading remarks and strive to become support figures for trainees.
—Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY, 25 Jan. 2025
In some corners, stripping the songs of profanities and toning down references doesn’t make adult songs kid appropriate.
—Sopan Deb, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2025
Animal Noises The original poster (OP) explained that the group of seven young diners was rowdy, using excessive profanity and making animal noises while ordering the most expensive entrees and desserts.
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 8 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for profanity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for profanity
Noun
-
As the phenomena intensify, Skye realizes she may have been marked by the same curse that claimed so many lives before her.—
Travis Bean,
Forbes,
8 Mar. 2025
-
Episode 5 - Le Curse of Leclerc: Charles Leclerc breaks the Monaco curse in this episode by winning the Grand Prix and explaining the emotional importance of the feat.—
Tommy Tuberville,
Newsweek,
7 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Without condoning the vulgarity of Team Trump, the shock may be useful.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
3 Mar. 2025
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Even those Republicans who are wary of his volatile leadership style, penchant for vulgarity and willingness to violate conservative orthodoxies are generally reluctant to air those criticisms publicly.—
Mike Lillis,
The Hill,
21 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Not to be confused with the dual language program for English learners (EL), Ambroiggio said approximately 7,000 students whose first language is other than English are in a program to develop their English skills to a level with their peers.—
Steve Sadin,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Mar. 2025
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But, Offit said, Makary’s language has damaged public trust in health institutions, including the one he’s been picked to lead.—
Matthew Perrone,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Could a nice good swear on the pitch to express one’s anger stop a player from lashing out physically, channelling their anger through their vocal cords rather than their fists?—
Nick Miller,
The Athletic,
21 Feb. 2025
-
The station asked the band not to include the swears.—
Kris Holt,
Forbes,
2 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
Police received multiple reports related to juveniles consuming alcohol, noise, obscenities being shouted, and more, according to Florida Today, part of USA TODAY Network.—
Taylor Ardrey,
USA TODAY,
28 Jan. 2025
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Though this form of censorship has since been deemed unconstitutional by various U.S. Supreme Court decisions, debates over what constitutes obscenity, child pornography and artistic expression persist.—
Amy Werbel,
The Conversation,
24 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Mountfield, 62, responded by questioning, with a scattering of expletives, who Fernandes even was.—
Laurie Whitwell,
The Athletic,
23 Feb. 2025
-
The show’s interrogation of conservative history is rigorous and occasionally peppered with expletives, but the exchanges with guests are nuanced and civil.—
Jeffrey Fleishman,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Dec. 2024
Noun
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And, when the alarm wails hours before dawn, human cusses of angry protest join the chorus of budget appliances failing before their time.—
Virginia Konchan,
The New Yorker,
30 Sep. 2024
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My grandmother extended a ladder up into this tough old cuss of a tree and climbed up, at some risk, to pick the bulging fruit.—
Jim Meddleton,
The Christian Science Monitor,
1 May 2024
Noun
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As the Oxford English Dictionary notes, the expression not hardly is considered a vulgarism.—
NR Editors,
National Review,
16 Apr. 2020
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The British cringed over new American accents, coinages and vulgarisms.—
Time,
Time,
11 June 2019
Cite this Entry
“Profanity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/profanity. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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