as in vulgarity
the quality or state of being obscene
there's a ribaldry in the works of Chaucer that generations of students of English literature have heartily enjoyed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 ribaldry
Over-Nite Sensation is a triumph: a concentrated digest from perhaps the most popular stretch of his career, and a freeze-frame of his compositional flowering and ingenious lyrical ribaldry.
—
Daniel Felsenthal, The Atlantic, 27 Nov. 2023
Finding liberty in punk artistry, Dury updated the tradition of British music-hall ribaldry and rude folk humor.
—Armond White, National Review, 3 Aug. 2022
These sections contain startling revelations about tribal culture, native ribaldry, and a social outcast’s mad nerve.
—Armond White, National Review, 18 Dec. 2020
The young woman disappeared in the ribaldry, everyone smelling of perfume and drowning one another out in their hysterical good time.
—David Rabe, The New Yorker, 5 Oct. 2020
The horses pick their fresh ways delicately through the dewy country, the brightness of sunrise has not yet fallen from the air, the sky is blue and all-covering, and the cowboys are full of jokes and morning ribaldries.
—Larry McMurtry, Harper's magazine, 28 Oct. 2019
What makes this a matter of more than mere ribaldry is that the baristas have unlimbered heavy constitutional artillery.
—George Will, National Review, 4 Oct. 2017
A trio of troublemaking nuns (Aubrey Plaza, Kate Micucci and Alison Brie) soon complicate matters, resulting in some hilarious, blasphemous ribaldry.
—OregonLive.com, 5 July 2017
Imagine Ludlam’s Ridiculous Theatrical Company without the cross-dressing ribaldry.
—Charles McNulty, latimes.com, 15 May 2017
Daniel Felsenthal, The Atlantic, 27 Nov. 2023
Finding liberty in punk artistry, Dury updated the tradition of British music-hall ribaldry and rude folk humor.
—Armond White, National Review, 3 Aug. 2022
These sections contain startling revelations about tribal culture, native ribaldry, and a social outcast’s mad nerve.
—Armond White, National Review, 18 Dec. 2020
The young woman disappeared in the ribaldry, everyone smelling of perfume and drowning one another out in their hysterical good time.
—David Rabe, The New Yorker, 5 Oct. 2020
The horses pick their fresh ways delicately through the dewy country, the brightness of sunrise has not yet fallen from the air, the sky is blue and all-covering, and the cowboys are full of jokes and morning ribaldries.
—Larry McMurtry, Harper's magazine, 28 Oct. 2019
What makes this a matter of more than mere ribaldry is that the baristas have unlimbered heavy constitutional artillery.
—George Will, National Review, 4 Oct. 2017
A trio of troublemaking nuns (Aubrey Plaza, Kate Micucci and Alison Brie) soon complicate matters, resulting in some hilarious, blasphemous ribaldry.
—OregonLive.com, 5 July 2017
Imagine Ludlam’s Ridiculous Theatrical Company without the cross-dressing ribaldry.
—Charles McNulty, latimes.com, 15 May 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ribaldry
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Ribaldry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ribaldry. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share