indecency

noun

in·​de·​cen·​cy (ˌ)in-ˈdē-sᵊn(t)-sē 

1

: the quality or state of being indecent

2

: something (such as a word or action) that is indecent

Synonyms

• bawdiness
• blueness
• coarseness
• crudeness
• crudity
• dirt
• dirtiness
• filth
• filthiness
• foulness
• grossness
• impureness
• impurity
• lasciviousness
• lewdness
• nastiness
• obscenity
• profanity
• raunch
• raunchiness
• ribaldry
• smut
• smuttiness
• vulgarity
• wantonness

Examples of indecency in a Sentence

The book has been criticized for indecency.

I was shocked by the indecency of their language.

He was accused of sexual indecencies.

Recent Examples on the Web

As an armchair legal scholar, my guess is that constitutes burglary, property damage, and perhaps public indecency. —Frederick Dreier, Outside Online, 18 Nov. 2024

One of the teachers has been charged with indecency with a child, while the other was charged for online solicitation, the DA said. —Jonathan Limehouse, USA TODAY, 29 Oct. 2024

Standish is shocked by Lamb’s indecency — which is saying something about the level of that indecency — but the gambit works. —Scott Tobias, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2024

Goode will serve the two sentences for indecency with a child concurrently, equating to a term of 40 years in prison. —Ricardo Delgado, San Antonio Express-News, 2 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1589, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

indecency

noun

in·​de·​cen·​cy (ˈ)in-ˈdēs-ən-sē 

plural indecencies

1

: lack of decency

2

: an indecent act or word