grawlix

noun

graw·​lix ˈgrȯ-ˌliks 

plural grawlixes

: a series of typographical symbols (such as $#!) used in text as a replacement for profanity

… it's impossible to quote Ryan directly without liberal use of the grawlix …

—Steve Rushin

Examples of grawlix in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Vassell said in a tweet that included an angry-looking emoji with a mouth obscured by a grawlix, a string of typographical symbols – in this case, #%! —Tom Orsborn, San Antonio Express-News, 2 Feb. 2022

The use of grawlix is mostly limited to cartoons and casual fiction writing. —Washington Post, 20 July 2021

Word History

Etymology

coined by the American cartoonist Mort Walker (1923-2018)

First Known Use

1976, in the meaning defined above