ribaldry

noun

ˈri-bəl-drē How to pronounce ribaldry (audio)
Definition of ribaldrynext
as in vulgarity
the quality or state of being obscene there's a ribaldry in the works of Chaucer that generations of students of English literature have heartily enjoyed

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of ribaldry Finding liberty in punk artistry, Dury updated the tradition of British music-hall ribaldry and rude folk humor. — Armond White, National Review, 3 Aug. 2022 The young woman disappeared in the ribaldry, everyone smelling of perfume and drowning one another out in their hysterical good time. — David Rabe, The New Yorker, 5 Oct. 2020 The horses pick their fresh ways delicately through the dewy country, the brightness of sunrise has not yet fallen from the air, the sky is blue and all-covering, and the cowboys are full of jokes and morning ribaldries. — Larry McMurtry, Harper's magazine, 28 Oct. 2019 Imagine Ludlam’s Ridiculous Theatrical Company without the cross-dressing ribaldry. — Charles McNulty, latimes.com, 15 May 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ribaldry
  1. vulgarity
  2. grossness
  3. suggestiveness
  4. crudeness
  5. obscenity
  6. bawdiness
  7. coarseness
  8. lewdness
Noun
  • The distinction between ugliness and vulgarity feels important now.
    — Debbie Millman, Time, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The once-vaunted values of public life are now reduced to the lower standards of private life—venality, vulgarity, rudeness, incontinence, and ignorance.
    — Simon Sebag Montefiore, The Atlantic, 28 June 2026
Definition of vulgarity
Noun
  • But Paddy’s isn’t Sudz, and the Gang’s efforts to soft-pedal their antics to be more in line with those mainstream bars devolved into typical Sunny-style hostility and off-putting grossness.
    — Dennis Perkins, Entertainment Weekly, 28 July 2026
  • All your Dad has to do is fill it and drink—the microfilter membrane will do the rest by removing chlorine odors, dirt, bacteria, and any other grossness floating around in there.
    — Francesca Krempa, Travel + Leisure, 11 June 2026
Definition of grossness
Noun
  • The Averys also lack the deep, metaphysical suggestiveness of the Gottliebs.
    — Sebastian Smee, The Atlantic, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The bucket quickly went viral for its not-safe-for-work suggestiveness.
    — Greta Cross, USA Today, 1 July 2026
Definition of suggestiveness
Noun
  • There’s some rudeness, aggressive conversations, and crudeness, but nothing too over the top.
    — Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 4 Aug. 2025
Definition of crudeness
Noun
  • My main point is not just that there's lots of obscenity in both, but also lots of poetics in both.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Now, as some have noted, there are Supreme Court precedents that have already held that broadcasters don’t have complete free speech rights around things like, for example, obscenity.
    — New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of obscenity
Noun
  • Despite the heavy central theme of chronic illness, there’s a delicious bawdiness to Will There Ever Be Another You, a vulgar juvenilia evoking graffiti-tag genitals or the ding dong ditch scene from Billy Madison.
    — Eric Olson September 23, Literary Hub, 23 Sep. 2025
Definition of bawdiness
Noun
  • But many seemingly urbane texts also benefited from the intellectual and moral coarseness of their times.
    — Christine Smallwood, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
  • The term plant texture refers to the fineness or coarseness, roughness or smoothness, heaviness or lightness of a particular plant.
    — David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 15 Feb. 2026
Definition of coarseness
Noun
  • Kelley pleaded guilty to both the remaining charges of public lewdness and obstructing government operations, according to local news outlet WSFA.
    — Jack Irvin, PEOPLE, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The writing, by Estelle Hoy and Justine Gelfman, was sassy and sharp, and the narrative exuded a whimsical lewdness that cut against the production’s overall slapstick sensibility.
    — Andy Battaglia, ARTnews.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of lewdness

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ribald
ribaldry
ribbed
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Cite this Entry

“Ribaldry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ribaldry. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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