obscenity

[ uhb-sen-i-tee, -see-ni- ]

/ əbˈsɛn ɪ ti, -ˈsi nɪ- /

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See synonyms for obscenity on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural ob·scen·i·ties for 2, 3.

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

something obscene, as a picture or story.

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

OTHER WORDS FOR obscenity

3 curse, curse word, cuss, cussword, oath, profanity, swear word.

See synonyms for obscenity on Thesaurus.com

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CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

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Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of obscenity

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

OTHER WORDS FROM obscenity

an·ti·ob·scen·i·ty, noun, plural an·ti·ob·scen·i·ties, adjective

Words nearby obscenity

O'Brien potatoes, OBrit, obrogation, obs., obscene, obscenity, obscurant, obscurantism, obscuration, obscure, obscurely

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use obscenity in a sentence

Benson said she experienced threats first-hand when people "shouting obscenities and graphic threats into bullhorns in the dark of night" arrived outside her home in December 2020 after election results were certified in Michigan.
Election workers "in the crossfire" of fraud rhetoric, secretaries of state testify|Herb Scribner|August 3, 2022|Axios
We also see that reflected in the rolling obscenity of global vaccine distribution, where vaccines have been allocated in a non-coordinated fashion, oblivious to human need and often driven by foreign policy imperatives.
We Must Learn From the Failed Global Response to COVID-19|Kevin Rudd|December 29, 2021|Time
The fight over the obscenity of trying to remove Toni Morrison’s Pulitzer Prize-winning book “Beloved” from a school library.
To win in 2022, Democrats must be laser focused|Peter Rosenstein|November 17, 2021|Washington Blade
The attacks come on the heels of an increase in incidents in which passengers have shouted obscenities, pushed and shoved flight attendants, harassed other passengers or even attempted to open the cockpit door.
Flight attendant suffers broken bones in ‘one of the worst displays of unruly behavior’ in the skies|Lori Aratani|October 28, 2021|Washington Post

Other video showed a Border Patrol agent on a horse shouting an obscenity as he tried to clear a child away.
Why are there thousands of Haitian migrants at the Texas border?|Amber Phillips|September 22, 2021|Washington Post
Some might say there is also an obscenity to it, given the amount of poverty in the world.
William, Kate, and Jay Z’s Favorite Art Star: Alexander Gilkes' World of Rock Stars and Royalty|Tim Teeman|December 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Among these are obscenity, defamation, fighting words, express incitement to unlawful conduct, and threats.
Does Free Speech Cover Murder Fantasies? The Supreme Court’s Definition of a ‘Threat’|Geoffrey R. Stone|December 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
One trucker did shout an obscenity, and a musclebound mechanic told them to go and do something useful like study.
Mexican Protesters Look to Start a New Revolution|Jason McGahan|November 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
An Alabama obscenity law passed in 1998 made the sale of most sex toys illegal in the state.
Anti-Gun Ad Featuring Dildos Is a Huge Misfire|Keli Goff|June 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Coined “obscenity regulations,” on face value they appear to ban material that “depicts or describes sexual misconduct.”
Censored and ‘Obscene’ in Solitary|Sarah Shourd|June 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They rebelled at the immorality of his conduct and the obscenity of his writings; and he resolved that they should accept both.
Lady Byron Vindicated|Harriet Beecher Stowe
The charge was "obscenity," and they had been arrested at the instance of Anthony Comstock.
My Life in Many States and in Foreign Lands|George Francis Train
Another feature in common is the rank realism and open obscenity which marked the humours of both species.
The Memoirs of Count Carlo Gozzi; Volume the first|Count Carlo Gozzi
That means losing ground at an increasing rate to the obscenity crawling over our planet.
Greylorn|John Keith Laumer
Aaron Stoltzfoos dropped the lantern to his side, amazed that the dignified old man could be guilty of such an obscenity.
Blind Man's Lantern|Allen Kim Lang

British Dictionary definitions for obscenity

obscenity

/ (əbˈsɛnɪtɪ) /

noun plural -ties

the state or quality of being obscene

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

Cultural definitions for obscenity

obscenity

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.)

obscenity

OTHER WORDS FOR obscenity

Origin of obscenity

OTHER WORDS FROM obscenity

Words nearby obscenity

Words related to obscenity

How to use obscenity in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for obscenity

Cultural definitions for obscenity