obscenity

[ uhb-sen-i-tee, -see-ni- ]

/ əbˈsɛn ɪ ti, -ˈsi nɪ- /

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See synonyms for obscenity on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural ob·scen·i·ties for 2, 3.

the character or quality of being obscene; indecency; lewdness.

something obscene, as a picture or story.

an obscene word or expression, especially when used as an invective.

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Origin of obscenity

First recorded in 1600–10; from French obscenité, from Latin obscēnitās, equivalent to obscēn(us)obscene + -itās-ity

OTHER WORDS FROM obscenity

an·ti·ob·scen·i·ty, noun, plural an·ti·ob·scen·i·ties, adjective

Words nearby obscenity

O'Brien potatoes, OBrit, obrogation, obs., obscene, obscenity, obscurant, obscurantism, obscuration, obscure, obscurity

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

How to use obscenity in a sentence

On an Allegiant Air flight in August, a passenger hit a flight attendant, yelled obscenities at him and grabbed his phone as he described a mask-related dispute to the captain, according to the FAA.
Sneezed on, cussed at, ignored: Airline workers battle mask resistance with scant government backup|Michael Laris|January 1, 2021|Washington Post
Some might say there is also an obscenity to it, given the amount of poverty in the world.
William, Kate, and Jay Z’s Favorite Art Star: Alexander Gilkes' World of Rock Stars and Royalty|Tim Teeman|December 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Among these are obscenity, defamation, fighting words, express incitement to unlawful conduct, and threats.
Does Free Speech Cover Murder Fantasies? The Supreme Court’s Definition of a ‘Threat’|Geoffrey R. Stone|December 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
One trucker did shout an obscenity, and a musclebound mechanic told them to go and do something useful like study.
Mexican Protesters Look to Start a New Revolution|Jason McGahan|November 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST

An Alabama obscenity law passed in 1998 made the sale of most sex toys illegal in the state.
Anti-Gun Ad Featuring Dildos Is a Huge Misfire|Keli Goff|June 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Coined “obscenity regulations,” on face value they appear to ban material that “depicts or describes sexual misconduct.”
Censored and ‘Obscene’ in Solitary|Sarah Shourd|June 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They rebelled at the immorality of his conduct and the obscenity of his writings; and he resolved that they should accept both.
Lady Byron Vindicated|Harriet Beecher Stowe
The charge was "obscenity," and they had been arrested at the instance of Anthony Comstock.
My Life in Many States and in Foreign Lands|George Francis Train
Another feature in common is the rank realism and open obscenity which marked the humours of both species.
The Memoirs of Count Carlo Gozzi; Volume the first|Count Carlo Gozzi
That means losing ground at an increasing rate to the obscenity crawling over our planet.
Greylorn|John Keith Laumer
Aaron Stoltzfoos dropped the lantern to his side, amazed that the dignified old man could be guilty of such an obscenity.
Blind Man's Lantern|Allen Kim Lang

British Dictionary definitions for obscenity

obscenity

/ (əbˈsɛnɪtɪ) /

noun plural -ties

the state or quality of being obscene

an obscene act, statement, word, etc

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Cultural definitions for obscenity

obscenity

Behavior, appearance, or expression (such as films and books) that violate accepted standards of sexual morality. American courts have long tried to define obscenity but without much success. Some believe, for example, that any depiction of nudity is obscene; others would argue that nudity in itself is not obscene. (See four-letter words (see also four-letter words) and pornography.)

obscenity

Origin of obscenity

OTHER WORDS FROM obscenity

Words nearby obscenity

Words related to obscenity

How to use obscenity in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for obscenity

Cultural definitions for obscenity