obscenity

[əbˈsɛnəti]

obscenity Definition

• 1. the state or quality of being obscene; indecency; impurity
• 2. an offensive or indecent word or phrase

Using obscenity: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "obscenity" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  The movie was criticized for its obscenity.

• Example

  He was fined for shouting obscenities in public.

• Example

  The book was banned for its obscene content.

obscenity Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for obscenity

• indecency
• lewdness
• vulgarity
• profanity
• coarseness

Antonyms for obscenity

• decency
• propriety

Idioms Using obscenity

• obscene amount

  an excessive or unreasonable amount

  Example

  The company spent an obscene amount of money on their latest advertising campaign.

• obscene phone call

  a harassing or sexually explicit phone call

  Example

  She received an obscene phone call from an unknown caller and reported it to the police.

• obscene wealth

  an extremely large amount of wealth, often considered excessive or immoral

  Example

  The billionaire's obscene wealth was a topic of controversy among the public.

Phrases with obscenity

• obscenity laws

  laws that prohibit the distribution of materials deemed to be obscene

  Example

  The artist was arrested for violating obscenity laws with his controversial artwork.

• obscenity trial

  a legal proceeding in which a person or organization is accused of distributing obscene materials

  Example

  The publisher was taken to court in an obscenity trial over the controversial book.

• obscene gesture

  a rude or offensive hand gesture

  Example

  He made an obscene gesture at the other driver after they cut him off in traffic.

Origins of obscenity

from Latin 'obscenus', meaning 'offensive'

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Summary: obscenity in Brief

'Obscenity' [əbˈsɛnəti] refers to indecent or impure content or behavior, including offensive words or phrases. It can be subject to legal restrictions, as in 'obscenity laws' and 'obscenity trials.' 'Obscenity' also appears in idioms like 'obscene amount,' denoting excess, and 'obscene wealth,' suggesting immoral accumulation of riches.