obscenity
noun
ob·scen·i·ty
äb-ˈse-nə-tē 
əb-
also -ˈsē-
plural obscenities
1
: the quality or state of being obscene
2
: something (such as an utterance or act) that is obscene
Examples of obscenity in a Sentence
The author uses obscenity to make a point about the culture.
the song couldn't be performed on the air due to the obscenity of the lyrics
Recent Examples on the Web
That has given the agency the legal ability to regulate such things as indecency and obscenity, as well as commercials in children’s programming.
—
Ted Johnson, Deadline, 20 Mar. 2026
But as the film quietly signals, a society’s obscenities are not aberrations, only parts of an ugly chapter in a long history.
—Michael Snyder, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2026
There’s an obscenity with pearls.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2026
Video shows the women squeezing through the window and screaming obscenities at the people inside, while tossing food, beverages and packaging.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 28 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for obscenity
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Ted Johnson, Deadline, 20 Mar. 2026
But as the film quietly signals, a society’s obscenities are not aberrations, only parts of an ugly chapter in a long history.
—Michael Snyder, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2026
There’s an obscenity with pearls.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2026
Video shows the women squeezing through the window and screaming obscenities at the people inside, while tossing food, beverages and packaging.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 28 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for obscenity
Cite this Entry
“Obscenity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/obscenity. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
obscenity
noun
ob·scen·i·ty
äb-ˈsen-ət-ē
əb-
plural obscenities
1
: the quality or state of being obscene
2
: something that is obscene
Legal Definition
obscenity
noun
ob·scen·i·ty
äb-ˈse-nə-tē
plural obscenities
1
: the quality or state of being obscene
2
: something (as an utterance or act) that is obscene
also
: obscene material
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