Obscene — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /äb-ˈsēn/ ob·scene

Meaning & Definition of Obscene

Obscene (adjective)

  1. disgusting to the senses, repulsive
  2. abhorrent to morality or virtue; specifically, relating to sex in an indecent or offensive way, designed to incite to lust or depravity
  3. containing or being language regarded as taboo in polite usage

Obscene (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. depicting or referring to sexual matters in a way that is unacceptable in polite society

    "obscene gestures are totally inappropriate in the workplace"

    similar: bawdy, blue, coarse, crude, dirty, filthy, foul, gross, gutter, impure, indecent, lascivious, lewd, locker-room, nasty, pornographic, porny, profane, raunchy, ribald, smutty, stag, trashy, unprintable, vulgar, wanton, X-rated
    related: broad, coarse-grained, gamy, off, off-color, racy, risqué, salacious, salty, suggestive, barnyard, earthy, scatological, immodest, indecorous, indelicate, low, unbecoming, depraved, kinky, louche, naughty, perverse, perverted, wicked, exceptionable, objectionable, unacceptable, undesirable, unwanted, unwelcome, abhorrent, debasing, disgusting, loathsome, offensive, repellent, repugnant, repulsive, revolting, distasteful, obnoxious, unpleasant, blamable, blameworthy, censurable, reprehensible, atrocious, infamous, abusive, scurrilous, hard-core, soft, soft-core
    opposite: clean, decent, G-rated, nonobscene, wholesome
    near: priggish, prim, prudish, puritanical, staid, straitlaced, Victorian, correct, decorous, genteel, nice, polite, proper, respectable, seemly, innocuous, inoffensive, acceptable, agreeable, desirable, pleasant, pleasing, welcome, appropriate, becoming, fit, meet, suitable, immaculate, perfect, pure, spotless, virginal, approved, endorsed, sanctioned

  2. causing intense displeasure, disgust, or resentment

    "that ugly new store is really an obscene bit of architecture"

    similar: abhorrent, abominable, appalling, awful, disgusting, distasteful, dreadful, evil, foul, fulsome, gross, hideous, horrendous, horrible, horrid, loathsome, nasty, nauseating, nauseous, noisome, noxious, obnoxious, odious, offensive, rancid, repellent, repugnant, repulsive, revolting, scandalous, shocking, sickening, ugly
    related: exceptionable, objectionable, brackish, disagreeable, dislikable, unpleasant, contemptible, despicable, detestable, hard, hateful, unhealthy, unsavory, unwholesome, execrable, lousy, miserable, atrocious, frightful, ghastly, grim, grisly, gruesome, heinous, horrific, horrifying, lurid, macabre, monstrous, nightmarish, sick, sickish, sickly, terrible, unspeakable, vile, off-putting, undesirable, unwanted, unwelcome, barbarous, unchristian, uncivilized, ungodly, unholy, distressing, disturbing, upsetting
    opposite: innocuous, inoffensive
    near: acceptable, agreeable, alluring, appealing, attractive, blessed, congenial, darling, delectable, delicious, delightful, delightsome, desirable, dreamy, dulcet, enjoyable, felicitous, gratifying, heavenly, inviting, likable, luscious, nice, palatable, pleasant, pleasing, pleasurable, satisfying, savory, sweet, welcome, unexceptionable, unobjectionable, healthful, healthy, restorative, salubrious, salutary, wholesome

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Obscene

The most common words with a similar meaning to Obscene:

bawdy, blue, coarse, crude, dirty, filthy, foul, gross, gutter, impure, indecent, lascivious, lewd, locker-room, nasty, pornographic, porny, profane, raunchy, ribald, smutty, stag, trashy, unprintable, vulgar, wanton, X-rated, abhorrent, abominable, appalling, awful, disgusting, distasteful, dreadful, evil, fulsome, hideous, horrendous, horrible, horrid

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Obscene

Words with the opposite meaning of Obscene:

clean, decent, G-rated, nonobscene, wholesome, innocuous, inoffensive

Related Words for Obscene

broad, coarse-grained, gamy, off, off-color, racy, risqué, salacious, salty, suggestive, barnyard, earthy, scatological, immodest, indecorous, indelicate, low, unbecoming, depraved, kinky, louche, naughty, perverse, perverted, wicked, exceptionable, objectionable, unacceptable, undesirable, unwanted

Near Antonyms of Obscene

priggish, prim, prudish, puritanical, staid, straitlaced, Victorian, correct, decorous, genteel, nice, polite, proper, respectable, seemly, acceptable, agreeable, desirable, pleasant, pleasing, welcome, appropriate, becoming, fit, meet, suitable, immaculate, perfect, pure, spotless

Word Forms of Obscene

Derived words: obscenely (adverb)

Origin & Etymology of Obscene

borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, "offensively indecent," borrowed from Latin obscēnus, obscaenus "ill-omened, unpropitious, evoking disgust, loathsome, indecent, lewd," of uncertain origin

First known use: 1593

Frequently Asked Questions about Obscene

What does "Obscene" mean?

"Obscene" means disgusting to the senses, repulsive. As an adjective, it is defined as: disgusting to the senses, repulsive. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Obscene"?

Other words for "Obscene" include bawdy, blue, coarse, crude, dirty, filthy, foul and gross. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Obscene" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Obscene"?

There are 142 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Obscene". Common alternatives include bawdy, blue, coarse, crude, dirty, filthy, foul, gross, gutter and impure.

What is the opposite of "Obscene"?

Antonyms of "Obscene" include clean, decent, G-rated, nonobscene, wholesome, innocuous and inoffensive. Near antonyms include priggish, prim, prudish and puritanical.

How do you use "Obscene" in a sentence?

Examples of "Obscene" in a sentence: "obscene gestures are totally inappropriate in the workplace"; "that ugly new store is really an obscene bit of architecture".

Is "Obscene" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Obscene" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Obscene"?

"Obscene" is pronounced /äb-ˈsēn/ and divided into syllables as ob·scene.

What is the origin of the word "Obscene"?

"Obscene" comes from borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, "offensively indecent," borrowed from Latin obscēnus, obscaenus "ill-omened, unpropitious, evoking disgust, loathsome, indecent, lewd," of uncertain origin. First known use: 1593.