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Synonyms

obscenity

American  
[uhb-sen-i-tee, -see-ni-] / əbˈsɛn ɪ ti, -ˈsi nɪ- /

noun

plural

obscenities

  1. the character or quality of being obscene; indecency; lewdness.

  2. something obscene, as a picture or story.

  3. an obscene word or expression, especially when used as an invective.

    Synonyms:
    swear word, profanity, oath, cussword, cuss, curse word, curse
obscenity British  
/ əbˈsɛnɪtɪ /

noun

  1. the state or quality of being obscene

  2. an obscene act, statement, word, etc

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
obscenity Cultural  

  1. Behavior, appearance, or expression (such as films and books) that violate accepted standards of sexual morality. American courts have long tried to define obscenity but without much success. Some believe, for example, that any depiction of nudity is obscene; others would argue that nudity in itself is not obscene. (See four-letter words (see also four-letter words) and pornography.)

Other Word Forms

  • antiobscenity noun

Etymology

Origin of obscenity

First recorded in 1600–10; from French obscenité, from Latin obscēnitās, equivalent to obscēn(us) obscene + -itās -ity

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Maybe it’s just a vibe, or as Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart once wrote about obscenity: “I know it when I see it.”

From Barron's • Dec. 18, 2025

Kenyon’s 1958 history of the Stuart dynasty, which began with James and lasted 111 years, cited James’s “vulgarity, obscenity and uproarious pedantry.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 5, 2025

The 42-year-old is known for his satirical songs and music videos about taboo topics in Malaysia, from obscenity to religion to China's censorship.

From BBC • Nov. 3, 2025

In its graceful intertwining of meditation and obscenity, “Afternoons of Solitude” gives an ancient, controversial tradition the chance to shock and awe without hype or favor.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 18, 2025

Please confine yourself to discussing issues and such; thereby you will at least avoid obscenity and offense.

From "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.