Definitions

obscene

[uhb-seen] / əbˈsin /

ADJECTIVE

indecent, offensive, immoral

Synonyms

STRONGEST

bawdy coarse crude disgusting horrible improper lewd nasty outrageous pornographic profane repugnant salacious scatological shocking suggestive

WEAK

X-rated atrocious barnyard blue dirty evil filthy foul gross heinous hideous immodest impure lascivious licentious loathsome loose lustful noisome porno prurient rank raunchy raw repellent ribald scabrous scurrilous shameless sickening smutty unchaste unclean unwholesome vile wanton wicked

Antonyms

STRONGEST

clean decent formal friendly gentle good magnificent moral nice pleasant pleasing proper refined sophisticated wonderful

WEAK

innocent pure upright

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.

The government said in June, when the amendment was pledged, that it built on existing laws, including the Obscene Publications Act 1959 and the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008.

From BBC • Nov. 3, 2025

Obscene sums of money finance a ceaseless barrage of advertisements that rake our senses raw.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 8, 2022

For example, Jones pointed to the Obscene Publications Act 1959, for which the U.K.

From Scientific American • Oct. 7, 2022

Then, some time around 2020, Apple hired Antonio García Martínez, a former Facebook advertising executive who had written a best-selling memoir, “Chaos Monkeys: Obscene Fortune and Random Failure in Silicon Valley.”

From Seattle Times • Oct. 15, 2021

Obscene delight raged in the crowded boat, with yells and laughter, and flourish of bamboo poles.

From Dragon's blood by Rideout, Henry Milner

Vocabulary lists containing obscene

Speak

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Prince (1958-2016) Tribute List

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Talk Like Shakespeare Day, List 2

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