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
Synonyms
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
This allows makers/goers to enjoy the film’s obscenity for their own hipster superiority.
—
Armond White, National Review, 20 Mar. 2024
In 1971, a U.S. district court overturned the obscenity ruling, stating that the original judge had given the jury faulty instructions.
—Joy Lanzendorfer, The New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2023
The state’s obscenity law also includes acts of homosexuality but exempts books with literary or educational value.
—Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 3 Apr. 2024
At the time of the incident, lawmakers were discussing Legislative Bill 441, which would remove an exception to the state’s obscenity law for teachers and librarians in non-postsecondary educational settings who are sharing material for educational purposes.
—Kelsey Ables, Washington Post, 19 Mar. 2024
DeHart fired one more round before yelling obscenities and driving away.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, Fox News, 17 Feb. 2024
In addition to changing obscenity laws, some states are moving ahead with legislation that would make library board elections more frequent and create committees to process requests to move materials.
—Joe Kottke, NBC News, 13 Feb. 2024
At the same time, a mob of angry white people snarls, yells obscenities, and hurls glass bottles at them.
—Ira Porter, The Christian Science Monitor, 1 Feb. 2024
Flynt was kicked out of his own argument at the Supreme Court after shouting obscenities at the justices.
—Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 4 Feb. 2024
Armond White, National Review, 20 Mar. 2024
In 1971, a U.S. district court overturned the obscenity ruling, stating that the original judge had given the jury faulty instructions.
—Joy Lanzendorfer, The New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2023
The state’s obscenity law also includes acts of homosexuality but exempts books with literary or educational value.
—Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 3 Apr. 2024
At the time of the incident, lawmakers were discussing Legislative Bill 441, which would remove an exception to the state’s obscenity law for teachers and librarians in non-postsecondary educational settings who are sharing material for educational purposes.
—Kelsey Ables, Washington Post, 19 Mar. 2024
DeHart fired one more round before yelling obscenities and driving away.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, Fox News, 17 Feb. 2024
In addition to changing obscenity laws, some states are moving ahead with legislation that would make library board elections more frequent and create committees to process requests to move materials.
—Joe Kottke, NBC News, 13 Feb. 2024
At the same time, a mob of angry white people snarls, yells obscenities, and hurls glass bottles at them.
—Ira Porter, The Christian Science Monitor, 1 Feb. 2024
Flynt was kicked out of his own argument at the Supreme Court after shouting obscenities at the justices.
—Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 4 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'obscenity.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near obscenity
Cite this Entry
“Obscenity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/obscenity. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.
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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