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
The jury heard Daniel yell profanities and call his ex-wife names.
—
Erin Moriarty, CBS News, 11 June 2025
The two met in first grade at their elementary school in North Carolina, where they were both placed in detention for writing profanity on their tests.
—Raven Brunner, People.com, 6 June 2025
The alleged profanity is believed to have been directed at Jewell Loyd, who joined the Aces during the 2025 offseason after 10 seasons with Seattle, the source said.
—Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 5 June 2025
The fights and the profanity in the stands led numerous NFL fans to sell their season tickets to the annual contest here.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for profanity
Erin Moriarty, CBS News, 11 June 2025
The two met in first grade at their elementary school in North Carolina, where they were both placed in detention for writing profanity on their tests.
—Raven Brunner, People.com, 6 June 2025
The alleged profanity is believed to have been directed at Jewell Loyd, who joined the Aces during the 2025 offseason after 10 seasons with Seattle, the source said.
—Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 5 June 2025
The fights and the profanity in the stands led numerous NFL fans to sell their season tickets to the annual contest here.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for profanity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for profanity
Noun
-
The song breaks Booth's life-defining generational curse.—
Marcus K. Dowling,
The Tennessean,
2 July 2025
-
Ancient 'pharaoh's curse' fungus shows promise in killing cancer cells.—
Staff,
FOXNews.com,
2 July 2025
Noun
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Robert Rhoads, Oakland Park Politicians and vulgarities Your front-page article on the use of expletives by U.S.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
7 July 2025
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During the presentation by PMM Chesterton, Kowalski was sharply critical and at one juncture used the vulgarity for bull waste.—
Jim Woods,
Chicago Tribune,
2 July 2025
Noun
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It was trained on the entire Internet to pull out statistical patterns in the language usage.—
Alex Morris,
Rolling Stone,
14 July 2025
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Adding classes in Spanish for those who read, write and speak it as their first language is another part of the plan to make schooling at CLC both more affordable and less challenging.—
Steve Sadin,
Chicago Tribune,
14 July 2025
Noun
-
Bonus: For every 100ml bottle sold, Omorovicza donates 5% to Water.org, supporting global access to safe water. Jones Road Miracle Balm, $40 Women over 50 swear by this award-winning, Bobbi Brown-founded brand for its nourishing and hydrating qualities.—
Kristen Philipkoski,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
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The word was forbidden in their household and treated like a swear.—
Ariana Yaptangco,
Glamour,
22 Apr. 2025
Noun
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After all, the legal definition of obscenity has a multi-pronged high bar and is a criminal offense for individuals.—
Kayla Dwyer,
IndyStar,
3 July 2025
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The law targets performances that fall under the state's obscenity restrictions, historically an extremely rigorous legal hurdle to clear in court.—
Melissa Brown,
The Tennessean,
2 July 2025
Noun
-
Robert Rhoads, Oakland Park Politicians and vulgarities Your front-page article on the use of expletives by U.S.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
7 July 2025
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One shot on the 16th saw Luke throw his arms down in frustration, while a later wayward effort landed in the bunker, drawing a short expletive from the University of Florida student.—
Conor O'Neill,
New York Times,
2 July 2025
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
-
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 18 Jul. 2025.
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