vulgarism

noun

ˈvəl-gə-ˌri-zəm How to pronounce vulgarism (audio)
Definition of vulgarismnext
as in curse
a disrespectful or indecent word or expression used vulgarisms that embarrassed his family

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 vulgarism As the Oxford English Dictionary notes, the expression not hardly is considered a vulgarism. — Nr Editors, National Review, 16 Apr. 2020 The British cringed over new American accents, coinages and vulgarisms. — Time, 11 June 2019 Trump himself has deployed vulgarisms for the female anatomy, plus T-shirts calling Democrat Hillary Clinton the same word were regularly spotted at Trump rallies during the 2016 campaign. — Maria Puente, USA TODAY, 1 June 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vulgarism
  1. curse
  2. language
  3. swear
  4. obscenity
  5. epithet
  6. expletive
  7. profanity
Noun
  • That was a full-length movie filmed in 2004 when the Red Sox were breaking their storied curse, and included Johnny Damon and other players in cameos.
    — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The prince, Ashitaka, encounters a forest-dwelling young woman called San on his journey and the two become friends, teaming up to help save the forest and end his curse.
    — Kara Nesvig, Parents, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of curse
Noun
  • From a consideration of apoptosis—the orderly elimination of damaged or unnecessary cells—Solé moves on to failing machines, eroded memories, vanished languages, brittle digital archives, and more.
    — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
  • High-needs students — defined as those receiving free or reduced price meals, English language learners and students with disabilities — also performed about 10 points below the overall student body in each category.
    — Theo Peck-Suzuki, Hartford Courant, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of language
Noun
  • The pinky swear proved binding, as Nelson wrote the screenplay within six weeks.
    — William Earl, Variety, 15 July 2026
  • Why fill with swears a show that might otherwise have been appointment viewing for the whole family?
    — Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 31 May 2026
Definition of swear
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
  • The raid drew criticism over separating families, and a group of Idahoans sued, saying officers hurled racial epithets and largely withheld water, food, bathrooms and medical care.
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Hochman detailed a number of prosecutions, including the sentence of one man to a life sentence plus seven years with the possibility of parole for a March 23 attack, during which racial epithets were uttered.
    — City News Service, Daily News, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of epithet
Noun
  • The video traded the genre’s typical easy-breezy style for a mashup of clips where flames rose, expletives flew, and Tiedemann flipped the bird toward the camera at every opportunity.
    — CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 26 Aug. 2026
  • As the mother resumed telling the officer what happened, Ruiz allegedly came back downstairs and used several expletives toward her, police wrote.
    — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of expletive
Noun
  • During the protest, Lander was approached by individuals calling him a Zionist and yelling profanities.
    — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 31 Aug. 2026
  • In 2021, he was banned from attending basketball games for a season after yelling profanity at a player.
    — J.D. Miles, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of profanity

Browse Nearby Words

vulgarians
vulgarism
vulgarisms
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Cite this Entry

“Vulgarism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vulgarism. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.

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