obscenities
Words that offend
Obscenities are words or expressions considered indecent or offensive—profanity, vulgar sexual terms, and taboo language generally.
The word also covers offensive acts or gestures: He shouted obscenities at the referee.
What counts as an obscenity varies by culture and era; words once unspeakable now appear routinely in entertainment and casual speech.
Vulgar exclamations
- swear wordsTaboo expletives
- curse wordsTaboo expletives
- cuss wordsTaboo vulgar expressions
- four-letter wordsBrief vulgar expressions
blasphemy · invective · imprecations · maledictions · vituperation · oaths · epithets · foul language
Disparaging remarks
- slursDemeaning identity-based insults
- pejorativesDisparaging or belittling words
- epithetsCharacterizing phrases for people
- derogatory termsInsulting names for groups
- ribaldryVulgar or indecent humor
- bawdinessIndecent or vulgar quality
- coarse languageObscene or crude speech
- smutLewd content or soot
filthy language · earthiness · raunchiness · lewdness · crudeness · salty language · locker-room talk · toilet humor
Fierce moral indignation
- offenseViolation or umbrage
- scandalDisgraceful public affair
- affrontDeliberate public insult
- indignationAnger from mistreatment
disgust · revulsion · uproar · pearl-clutching · moral panic · controversy · backlash · public outcry
expletives
Vulgar exclamations
- swear wordsTaboo expletives
- curse wordsTaboo expletives
- cuss wordsTaboo vulgar expressions
four-letter words · blasphemy · invective · imprecations · maledictions · vituperation · oaths · epithets · foul language · vulgarisms
insults
Disparaging remarks
- slursDemeaning identity-based insults
- pejorativesDisparaging or belittling words
- epithetsCharacterizing phrases for people
crude language
- ribaldryVulgar or indecent humor
- bawdinessIndecent or vulgar quality
- coarse languageObscene or crude speech
smut · filthy language · earthiness · raunchiness · lewdness · crudeness · salty language · locker-room talk · toilet humor
outrage
Fierce moral indignation
indignation · disgust · revulsion · uproar · pearl-clutching · moral panic · controversy · backlash · public outcry · censure
unmentionables
Clothing considered improper to discuss
obscenitiespleasantries
Polite conversational formalities
courtesies · civilities · niceties · proprieties · decencies
obscenitiespieties
Acts of reverence
blessings · moralities · prayers · benedictions · devotions