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noun

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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

Examples 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 musical directed by Jon M. Chu took in $114 million in its opening domestic weekend and has so far earned $320 million, with an additional $135 million internationally, for a worldwide gross of $455 million. Lester Fabian Brathwaite, EW.com, 9 Dec. 2024 In fact, the overall industry gross was up 23 percent from its previous week and reached a total of $46 million, an increase from 2023’s $34.5 million. Raven Brunner, People.com, 5 Dec. 2024
Verb
The film opened in North America last weekend and grossed a record-setting $114 Million from 3,888 theaters. Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 4 Dec. 2024 In March, Chalamet reprised his role as Paul Atreides in director Denis Villeneuve's Dune: Part Two, which debuted to wide critical acclaim and grossed $714.4 million worldwide. Lauren Huff, EW.com, 4 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for gross 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gross
Adjective
  • Of course, obscene content has been censored, and services that clearly broke intellectual property laws, like Napster, WikiLeaks, and The Pirate Bay were shuttered, but, for the average person, the internet remained broadly open in the United States.
    Callum Booth, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024
  • There have now been 21 fines due to obscene gestures this season.
    Ryan Morik, Fox News, 7 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • This drugstore darling is a versatile medicine cabinet staple for its mix of petroleum jelly, mineral oil, glycerin, and lanolin that acts as an all-in-one humectant, emollient, and occlusive to ensure your skin stays soft and plump.
    Angela Trakoshis, Allure, 6 Dec. 2024
  • Layer on generously before bedtime to find flaky, parched lips replaced by smooth, soft, plump pout come morning.
    Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 5 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Whether Tammy was a sympathetic victim or a crass criminal seemed to depend on the scene and the song, and unfortunately, those songs from a composer by the name of Elton John were not exactly praise-worthy.
    EW Staff, EW.com, 11 Dec. 2024
  • But as some critics cited the lawsuit after the shooting, or even joked about it, others viewed these reactions as crass.
    Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Editor’s picks On its own, its is a pretty blatant example of how TikTok’s popular meme formats allow creators to connect over moments that only become funny with time.
    CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 11 Dec. 2024
  • Many with a blatant lack of sympathy towards the murder victim.
    ABC News, ABC News, 8 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • That ends up dislodging the disgusting foreign item in Larry's throat.
    Esther Zuckerman, TIME, 12 Dec. 2024
  • Leigh goes for the gags in this one, from Broadbent’s workplace pratfall to friend of the family Aubrey’s (Timothy Spall) disgusting new restaurant.
    Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 9 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Throughout December, the city usually receives a total of 4.3 inches of rain, Hrencecin said.
    Julia Gomez, USA TODAY, 14 Dec. 2024
  • Since 2022, Guam customs officials have arrested a total of 152 Chinese nationals for violating entry laws, with some of these individuals having been suspected of involvement in smuggling operations.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services.
    Ahjané Forbes, USA TODAY, 22 Dec. 2024
  • Interestingly, revenues began trending downwards in October 2023 even as inflation continued to decline because revenue growth did not match the increase in expenses.
    Rohit Arora, Forbes, 21 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • The Bears offense netted 148 yards, went 2-for-13 on third down and didn’t score a touchdown.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 10 Dec. 2024
  • Teams netted $4 million or more per night after expenses for Swift’s concerts.
    Jason Clinkscales, Sportico.com, 9 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near gross

Cite this Entry

“Gross.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gross. Accessed 25 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on gross

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