sometimes offensive
as in vice
the practice of engaging in sexual activities for money prostitution is illegal in most states

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of prostitution Some of the acts of prostitution were carried out in Nesbitt’s condominium building in the 2400 block of West Augusta Boulevard. Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 8 Feb. 2023 Likewise, police won’t be able to ticket people for loitering for the purpose of prostitution. Wire Reports, oregonlive, 1 Jan. 2023 So for me, initially, prostitution was an investigation. Neil Genzlinger, New York Times, 18 Nov. 2022 From 8:15 pm to 6:00 am each day, prostitution is legal in Germany, where working call girls staff brothels, sauna clubs, and other such establishments. Veronique Greenwood, Discover Magazine, 2 Sep. 2011 See All Example Sentences for prostitution
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prostitution
harlotry
Noun
  • Within the slippery world of harlotry—where class can be transcended and humanity bought—relationships form that defy our historical assumptions about the bounded categories of human experience.
    Sarah Marshall, New Republic, 2 June 2017
  • That's how my job eventually descended into harlotry: through the endless cat-and-mouse game of porntrepreneurs subverting Google's anti-smut policies.
    Lucas Peterson, GQ, 22 May 2017

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Cite this Entry

“Prostitution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prostitution. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.

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