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noun

gross

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word gross different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of gross are coarse, obscene, ribald, and vulgar. While all these words mean "offensive to good taste or morals," gross implies extreme coarseness and insensitiveness.

gross eating habits

When can coarse be used instead of gross?

The synonyms coarse and gross are sometimes interchangeable, but coarse implies roughness, rudeness, or crudeness of spirit, behavior, or language.

found the coarse humor of coworkers offensive

Where would obscene be a reasonable alternative to gross?

Although the words obscene and gross have much in common, obscene applies to anything strongly repulsive to the sense of decency and propriety especially in sexual matters.

obscene language not allowed on the air

When could ribald be used to replace gross?

The meanings of ribald and gross largely overlap; however, ribald applies to what is amusingly or picturesquely vulgar or irreverent or mildly indecent.

entertained the campers with ribald folk songs

When is it sensible to use vulgar instead of gross?

While in some cases nearly identical to gross, vulgar often implies boorishness or ill-breeding.

a loud vulgar belch

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 gross
Noun
The pandemic … followed by two Best Picture winners whose official theatrical box-office grosses were within a rounding error of zero. Bill Wyman, Vulture, 28 Feb. 2025 However, with The Brutalist at a $41.3M worldwide gross, it’s set to profit. Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 2 Mar. 2025
Verb
Now, the franchise has become the biggest and highest grossing media franchise on the planet, outpacing Mickey Mouse, Winnie the Pooh, Star Wars, the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and Call of Duty. Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 12 Mar. 2025 The franchise has collectively grossed over $1.2 billion at the global box office. Katcy Stephan, Variety, 7 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for gross
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gross
Adjective
  • Taken by the apparent deterioration of his health, users made those clips go viral and eventually adapted the money spread into a mini-dance trend where users bop to the song before flaunting an obscene amount of cash (or weed baggies or fishing lures!).
    Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 19 Mar. 2025
  • But there are more visible and indecent »Paris Game« leftovers: the enormous/obscene sportsbook ads on display at every other métro station.
    Eduardo Tansley, The Athletic, 23 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Tortellini are plump and tender after simmering in the sauce—no need to cook them before adding to the pan.
    Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 10 Mar. 2025
  • Pre-soaked for easy use, each pad combines retinol and collagen for smoothing and added firmness, making your skin feel refreshed, plump and revitalized in one easy step.
    Maria Correa, Miami Herald, 3 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Trump teaches this crass behavior to his MAGA minions so that many Americans can no longer distinguish true from false, right from wrong, justice from injustice.
    Bob Kustra, Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 2025
  • There’s not really any sort of crude, crass direction.
    Jon Pareles, New York Times, 25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The blatant stupidity of what is being done by our country‘s executive leadership is staggering.
    Lisa P. Rimland, Hartford Courant, 17 Mar. 2025
  • Culturally, the combination of blatant racist fear mongering and the anti-woke movement has delivered their message for the future.
    Carly Thomas, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Continue reading … ‘PRO-CRIMINAL’ – Blue state sheriff unloads on 'disgusting' bill targeting the right to self-defense.
    Fox News, Fox News, 11 Mar. 2025
  • The world is a disgusting and miserable place, and Tory Lanez is eager to exploit it.
    Mosi Reeves, Rolling Stone, 7 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The current total represents orders from stores that have taken a position early; the number of copies could skyrocket by April 30.
    Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Texas state health officials said Tuesday there were 25 new cases of measles since the end of last week, bringing Texas’ total to 223.
    DEVI SHASTRI, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Focus On Fundamentals, Not Fear Savvy investors focus on fundamentals—revenue, earnings, cash flow, competitive advantage—not on the emotions of the marketplace.
    True Tamplin, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Tariffs provide income to the government that applies them, although even after existing tariffs levied by Trump and Biden, the federal government last year collected about 30 times more revenue via individual income taxes than through tariffs.
    Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 21 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The price action in bitcoin alone netted one trader with astonishingly good timing a profit of $6.8 million in a matter of hours.
    Felix Salmon, Axios, 11 Mar. 2025
  • The Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance and Denver Museum of Nature & Science, for example, netted more than $12 million each, according to SCFD filings.
    John Wenzel, The Denver Post, 10 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Gross.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gross. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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