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Definitions

vulgar

[vuhl-ger] / ˈvʌl gər /
ADJECTIVE
rude, offensive
Synonyms
STRONGEST
boorish coarse crude disgusting filthy impolite indecent nasty naughty obscene off-color profane ribald scatological suggestive tasteless tawdry
WEAK
X-rated base blue cheap common contemptible dirty dishonorable fractious gross hard-core ignoble improper indecorous indelicate inferior low malicious odious raw repulsive risqué rough slippery smutty sneaking soft-core sordid uncouth unmannerly unrefined unworthy villainous
Antonyms
STRONGEST
chaste clean decent gentle moral nice pleasant pleasing polite pure refined sophisticated tasteful
WEAK
aesthetic artistic fashionable inoffensive
ADJECTIVE
common, general
Synonyms
STRONGEST
colloquial conversational vernacular
WEAK
dime a dozen everyday familiar garden variety low native ordinary plastic plebeian popular public run-of-the-mill unrefined
Antonyms
WEAK
aesthetic artistic decent fashionable inoffensive nice polite refined

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 court “is not a place for vulgar barroom talk,” Judge M. Margaret McKeown clapped back in a concurrence joined by 25 fellow judges.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 17, 2026

But now, online scammers were co-opting her iconic image for "vulgar and despicable attempts to exploit her legacy", the Brigitte Bardot Foundation said.

From BBC • Jan. 4, 2026

“The comments were vulgar, offensive and false, and we apologize for the hurt they have caused,” the company said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 26, 2025

And no joke is more vulgar than one mocking the pain of your neighbors, whether they were born in this country or not.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 27, 2025

One is quite capable, of course, of working out these destructive passions in more vulgar and less efficient ways.

From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.