Obscenity
noun
Something offensive or disgusting, usually in terms of sexual behavior or language.
The movie was full of obscenities, making it unfit for children's viewing.
Often appears as...
- utter obscenity
- spew obscenities
Usage tips
Disapproving
noun
In law, speech, writing or behavior that is regarded as offensive or indecent, particularly in a sexual context.
The defendant was charged with obscenity for distributing explicit material online.
Often appears as...
- charged with obscenity
- sell obscenity
Usage tips
Formal, Disapproving
noun
Something offensive or disgusting, usually in terms of sexual behavior or language.
The movie was full of obscenities, making it unfit for children's viewing.
Often appears as...
- utter obscenity
- spew obscenities
Usage tips
Disapproving
noun
In law, speech, writing or behavior that is regarded as offensive or indecent, particularly in a sexual context.
The defendant was charged with obscenity for distributing explicit material online.
Often appears as...
- charged with obscenity
- sell obscenity
Usage tips
Formal, Disapproving
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Emotional Impact
Obscenity can provoke strong emotions, often negative, such as shock or disgust.
His speech was so full of obscenity, the audience gasped.
Pro Tip 2/3Cultural Sensitivity
What's considered obscenity varies by culture, so be cautious in multicultural settings.
Be aware, some cultures might find that joke to be an obscenity.
Pro Tip 3/3Media Classification
Obscenities often contribute to content being rated for adults in movies, games, and TV.
Due to its obscenities, the film received an R rating.
Compare with
coarsenesscrudityfilthindecencyprofanityribaldrysmutvulgarity
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Video examples
Art can heal PTSD's...
declaring him a goner, and then leaving him to die. Years later, after his physical wounds had healed and he'd returned home, he rarely spoke of his experiences in waking life. But at night I would hear him shouting obscenities from his room down the hall.
Video examples
Art can heal PTSD's...
declaring him a goner, and then leaving him to die. Years later, after his physical wounds had healed and he'd returned home, he rarely spoke of his experiences in waking life. But at night I would hear him shouting obscenities from his room down the hall.
Example 1 of 1
Quote examples
Maya Angelou
American Poet
Politicians must set their aims for the high ground and according to our various leanings, Democratic, Republican, Independent, we will follow. Politicians must be told if they continue to sink into the mud of obscenity, they will proceed alone.
Quote examples
Willie Aames
American Actor
When somebody comes to your front door, and they're screaming obscenities at you and telling you to come outside, and you've had your life threatened several times, you take it pretty seriously. It's the reason I have a Rottweiler.
Quote examples
Rouben Mamoulian
Armenian Director
The world today is so full of violence, obscenity, war, the failure of political systems. I try to make movies that make people a bit more confident. But that doesn't mean being sugary.
Quote examples
Percy Bysshe Shelley
English Poet
Obscenity, which is ever blasphemy against the divine beauty in life, is a monster for which the corruption of society forever brings forth new food, which it devours in secret.
Quote examples
Roman Polanski
Director
You have to show violence the way it is. If you don't show it realistically, then that's immoral and harmful. If you don't upset people, then that's obscenity.
Quote examples
Jane Alexander
American Actress
I don't know how one actually would define obscenity. I'm sure the definition is different according to the age one is living in.
Quote examples
D. H. Lawrence
English Writer
Since obscenity is the truth of our passion today, it is the only stuff of art - or almost the only stuff.
Quote examples
Jef I. Richards
American Educator
Commercial speech is like obscenity... we can't seem to define it, but we know it when we see it.
Quote examples
Bertrand Russell
British Philosopher
Obscenity is whatever happens to shock some elderly and ignorant magistrate.
Quote examples
Christopher Hitchens
American Author
Obscenity comes from grime.
Quote examples
Maya Angelou
American Poet
Politicians must set their aims for the high ground and according to our various leanings, Democratic, Republican, Independent, we will follow. Politicians must be told if they continue to sink into the mud of obscenity, they will proceed alone.
Quote examples
Willie Aames
American Actor
When somebody comes to your front door, and they're screaming obscenities at you and telling you to come outside, and you've had your life threatened several times, you take it pretty seriously. It's the reason I have a Rottweiler.
Quote examples
Rouben Mamoulian
Armenian Director
The world today is so full of violence, obscenity, war, the failure of political systems. I try to make movies that make people a bit more confident. But that doesn't mean being sugary.
Quote examples
Percy Bysshe Shelley
English Poet
Obscenity, which is ever blasphemy against the divine beauty in life, is a monster for which the corruption of society forever brings forth new food, which it devours in secret.
Quote examples
Roman Polanski
Director
You have to show violence the way it is. If you don't show it realistically, then that's immoral and harmful. If you don't upset people, then that's obscenity.
Quote examples
Jane Alexander
American Actress
I don't know how one actually would define obscenity. I'm sure the definition is different according to the age one is living in.
Quote examples
D. H. Lawrence
English Writer
Since obscenity is the truth of our passion today, it is the only stuff of art - or almost the only stuff.
Quote examples
Jef I. Richards
American Educator
Commercial speech is like obscenity... we can't seem to define it, but we know it when we see it.
Quote examples
Bertrand Russell
British Philosopher
Obscenity is whatever happens to shock some elderly and ignorant magistrate.
Quote examples
Christopher Hitchens
American Author
Obscenity comes from grime.
Example 1 of 10
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