1
as in obscene
depicting or referring to sexual matters in a way that is unacceptable in polite society
some of the movie's most ribald, and thus funniest, scenes were cut for showing on broadcast television
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in suggestive
hinting at or intended to call to mind matters regarded as indecent
a ribald tale rife with double entendres and racy innuendo
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 ribald
But Beforeigners eschews the supernatural, and the campier teen soap elements, to deliver a thoughtful, moving, and often quite ribald and funny tale of various worlds colliding.
—
Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 21 Feb. 2020
Later, Society members on the city commission pulled funding from a chamber-of-commerce event, citing concerns about an allegedly ribald country-and-western band.
—Emma Green, The Atlantic, 12 Dec. 2019
The Los Angeles artist, known for her ribald depictions of middle-aged men and babies (and baby men) wreaking all manner of havoc (bodily and otherwise), is presenting a series of paintings and videos.
—Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2019
The Los Angeles artist, known for her ribald depictions of middle-aged men and babies (and baby men) wreaking all manner of havoc (bodily and otherwise), is presenting a new series of paintings and videos.
—Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2019
See All Example Sentences for ribald
Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 21 Feb. 2020
Later, Society members on the city commission pulled funding from a chamber-of-commerce event, citing concerns about an allegedly ribald country-and-western band.
—Emma Green, The Atlantic, 12 Dec. 2019
The Los Angeles artist, known for her ribald depictions of middle-aged men and babies (and baby men) wreaking all manner of havoc (bodily and otherwise), is presenting a series of paintings and videos.
—Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2019
The Los Angeles artist, known for her ribald depictions of middle-aged men and babies (and baby men) wreaking all manner of havoc (bodily and otherwise), is presenting a new series of paintings and videos.
—Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2019
See All Example Sentences for ribald
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ribald
Adjective
-
The truth about our involvement in Ukraine to oppose Russia is obscene.—
Bruce Fein,
Baltimore Sun,
13 Feb. 2025
-
The amount of cash being tossed around is obscene, and that’s part of what makes the show guiltily watchable.—
James Hibberd,
The Hollywood Reporter,
4 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
The latest: Photos and videos posted to Facebook, Reddit and other sites showed the Patriots Place sign displaying non-explicit cartoon images of anthropomorphic dogs, a cat and one very suggestive purple wolf on a rainbow background.—
Mike Deehan,
Axios,
25 Feb. 2025
-
However, both workers had shown symptoms suggestive of infection, the study said.—
Susanne Rust,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
However, these arrangements were not mere shakedowns; they were anchored in strategic diplomacy and geopolitical calculus, rather than vulgar profiteering.—
Ross Rosenfeld,
Newsweek,
26 Feb. 2025
-
Her Facebook and email had been flooded with vulgar, inflammatory responses.—
Alyssa Goldberg,
USA TODAY,
24 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
The Belgian blonde Buddy System is a spicy 6.4%, and the German-style helles checks in at 5.8%.—
Jason Mastrodonato,
The Mercury News,
21 Feb. 2025
-
This weekend’s electrifying showdown at the Etihad between Manchester City and Liverpool just got spicier.—
Julia Ranney,
The Athletic,
21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
But for her book, Ms. Mulvaney showed a bawdier side.—
Maggie Lange,
New York Times,
18 Feb. 2025
-
The film tracked Craig’s move to the suburbs to escape vengeful hood demon Deebo, serving as an example of how Black comedies on the big screen became snapshots of a time—with all their vernacular, bawdy cartoonish carnality, neck rolls, and flamboyant Blackness.—
Noel Ransome,
Essence,
13 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
The fourth quarter was not without controversy: With 4:27 left in the game, Rockets guard Amen Thompson was ejected for a flagrant foul 2 against Giannis Antetokounmpo where he got caught in the air trying to contest Antetokounmpo’s shot and then pulled him down by his head.—
Eric Nehm,
The Athletic,
26 Feb. 2025
-
Peavy scored 14 points before reaching the foul limit in the Jan. 11 loss to UConn.—
Joe Arruda,
Hartford Courant,
25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Poles needs to find difference-makers, nasty offensive linemen, game-wrecking defensive linemen, ravenous pass rushers … again, the Bears have a lot of needs.—
Jon Greenberg,
The Athletic,
26 Feb. 2025
-
Meanwhile, Stacey woke up with a nasty hangover from the night prior.—
Abigail Adams,
People.com,
25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Udoka hasn’t been quite as bold with a statement but has acknowledged the reality of Smith having to space the floor, trust his teammates and embrace the dirty work around the edges.—
Kelly Iko,
The Athletic,
25 Feb. 2025
-
Mining is one of the dirtiest industries, contributing upwards of 5% of global carbon emissions.—
Justin Worland,
TIME,
25 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ribald.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ribald. Accessed 6 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share