COARSE Synonyms: 401 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'coarse' different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of coarse are gross , obscene , ribald , and vulgar . While all these words mean "offensive to good taste or morals," coarse implies roughness, rudeness, or crudeness of spirit, behavior, or language. // found the coarse humor of coworkers offensive

Q: When can 'gross' be used instead of 'coarse'?

The words gross and coarse can be used in similar contexts, but gross implies extreme coarseness and insensitiveness. // gross eating habits

Q: When could 'obscene' be used to replace 'coarse'?

While the synonyms obscene and coarse are close in meaning, obscene applies to anything strongly repulsive to the sense of decency and propriety especially in sexual matters. // obscene language not allowed on the air

Q: Where would 'ribald' be a reasonable alternative to 'coarse'?

The meanings of ribald and coarse largely overlap; however, ribald applies to what is amusingly or picturesquely vulgar or irreverent or mildly indecent. // entertained the campers with ribald folk songs

Q: When might 'vulgar' be a better fit than 'coarse'?

The words vulgar and coarse are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, vulgar often implies boorishness or ill-breeding. // a loud vulgar belch

coarse

adjective

ˈkȯrs

Definition of coarse

as in grained

made up of large particles coarse rock salt was sprinkled on the icy walkway

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in vulgar

lacking in refinement or good taste the hockey player's coarse manners turned his date off completely

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in obscene

depicting or referring to sexual matters in a way that is unacceptable in polite society offended by the coarse humor at the celebrity roast

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in hoarse

harsh and dry in sound a coarse laugh

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in jagged

not having a level or smooth surface the coarse surface of the sandpaper

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in poor

of low quality coarse imitations of quality merchandise

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of coarse are gross, obscene, ribald, and vulgar. While all these words mean "offensive to good taste or morals," coarse implies roughness, rudeness, or crudeness of spirit, behavior, or language.

found the coarse humor of coworkers offensive

When can gross be used instead of coarse?

The words gross and coarse can be used in similar contexts, but gross implies extreme coarseness and insensitiveness.

gross eating habits

When could obscene be used to replace coarse?

While the synonyms obscene and coarse are close in meaning, obscene applies to anything strongly repulsive to the sense of decency and propriety especially in sexual matters.

obscene language not allowed on the air

Where would ribald be a reasonable alternative to coarse?

The meanings of ribald and coarse 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 might vulgar be a better fit than coarse?

The words vulgar and coarse are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 coarse Crews will experience coarse terrain, pervasive dust, and a surface unlike anything here on Earth. — Leonard David, Space.com, 22 June 2026 Add shortening and continue cutting in until flour is pale yellow and resembles coarse cornmeal with butter bits no larger than small peas. — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 26 June 2026 That melancholy was discovered by the Romantics, and, in its coarser variation, was equivalent to despair. — Merve Emre, New Yorker, 28 June 2026 The varying sizes of these tools suggest threads of different thicknesses, and that indicates both finer and coarser textiles, and likely the use of a range of raw materials. — Leslie Katz, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for coarse

Recent Examples of Synonyms for coarse

Adjective

The brand’s classic coats were joined by handsome bomber jackets in grained leather or suede, cocooning puffers and enveloping shearling jackets and stoles that were lined with contrasting napa for extra luxe.

— Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 2 Mar. 2026

Definition of grained

Adjective

Sean Goode, a former Canton police sergeant who was working the night of John O'Keefe's death and testified during the first Karen Read trial, allegedly sent dozens of vulgar text messages, according to an independent investigation.

— Matt Schooley, CBS News, 29 June 2026
Others were removed early on for vulgar or inappropriate comments, according to a PGA Tour source with knowledge of the events, with five spectators in total ejected from the tournament with six holes to go.

— Brody Miller, New York Times, 21 June 2026

Definition of vulgar

Adjective

Counterculture Yippies would turn up at a 1970 Blood, Sweat & Tears show at Madison Square Garden, carrying obscene banners outside and dumping manure by the front gate.

— Hillel Italie, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026
Yippies would turn up at a 1970 Blood, Sweat & Tears show at Madison Square Garden, carrying obscene banners outside and dumping manure by the front gate.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 June 2026

Definition of obscene

Adjective

The other was a tearing beauty, a creature so lovely that one look at her sent young men’s blood pressure skyward and set them to uttering wild, hoarse cries and tearing telephone directories apart with the bare hands.

— John Madson, Outdoor Life, 1 July 2026
Others walked home sunburned, hoarse and still dressed in blue and orange.

— C.J. Holmes, New York Daily News, 18 June 2026

Definition of hoarse

Adjective

The slightest details, or the smallest bits of structure, are what stick out—what can feel like an amorphous ooze of nothingness suddenly snaps into place thanks to a rhythmic rattle or jagged vocal sample.

— Andrew Ryce, Pitchfork, 6 July 2026
Look at the jagged lines, the geometric shapes, the neon colour schemes, the tall collars, the billowing short sleeves.

— Jack Lang, New York Times, 5 July 2026

Definition of jagged

Adjective

As previously reported by PEOPLE, according to the Royal Bahamas Police Force, the incident occurred on Tuesday, June 23, in Staniel Cay, a small, sandy island in the Exuma Cays.

— Clare Fisher, PEOPLE, 30 June 2026
Think sandy feet, long lunches, morning coffee with the Pacific.

— David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 29 June 2026

Definition of sandy

Adjective

Like a more crass, animated Seinfeld, Rocko deals with the mundanities and absurdities of daily life.

— Skyler Trepel, Entertainment Weekly, 20 June 2026
With the games having kicked off, the sport has shown its ineffable power to supplant crass and capitalistic overreach.

— Emily Olsen, New York Times, 16 June 2026

Definition of crass

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coapts

coarse

coarse-grained

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“Coarse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/coarse. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of coarse

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