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

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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 Authorization and enforcement are almost always too coarse for what production actually requires. — Alex Salazar, Forbes.com, 6 Oct. 2026 Advanced internal valves are specifically engineered to filter out high-frequency vibrations from coarse road surfaces. — New Atlas, 2 Oct. 2026 When these grains are coarse and broad, microcracks can easily run through them, causing sudden structural failure. — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2026 The even mixing of the isotopes suggests that it was formed from fine dust grains rather than clumpy, coarser material. — Keith Cooper, Space.com, 27 Sep. 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

In her smartly vulgar The Seasons (1957), which extends nearly 17 feet, Krasner returns to the subject of rebirth one year after Pollock’s death, depicting abundant forms resembling genitalia.

— John Yau, ARTnews.com, 18 Oct. 2026
While Musgraves' comments received both praise and backlash, one country music legend took exception to the vulgar remarks.

— Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of vulgar

Adjective

In Russia, soldiers die at the front by the hundreds of thousands while politically compliant billionaires accumulate obscene fortunes.

— Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 22 Oct. 2026
At the next timeout, an announcement was made asking fans to refrain from obscene chants.

— Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of obscene

Adjective

Now life was like that; some days fine and firm and full of whatever, while other days the hoarse bark of the neighbors’ dog or a friend’s grim diagnosis and her body succumbed to an emotional gravity that pulled her into a free fall.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026
Singers didn’t want their voices to get hoarse over the long night or week.

— Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of hoarse

Adjective

The latter is more demanding, but might have the best views of those jagged, majestic Dolomites in the region.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026
Once fished to the brink of extinction globally, sand tiger sharks, that iconic aquarium shark with a jaw of protruding, jagged teeth that only a mother could love, have been increasing in the Boston Harbor over the last decade.

— Asia London Palomba, Christian Science Monitor, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of jagged

Adjective

Disease that has spread to those organs is associated with poorer treatment outcomes.

— Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2026
They were frustrated with teacher shortages and poor conditions at schools, including overcrowded classrooms and dilapidated buildings.

— James Cirrone , Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of poor

Adjective

The tiny Norwegian archipelago, 68 degrees north of the Arctic Circle and two flights from Oslo, is a distinctive and dramatic landscape with spiky mountains rising from the Norwegian Sea and sandy beaches fringed by fjords.

— Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Oct. 2026
Hannah Damon, director of outreach and administration at Camp Amnicon Adventures and Retreats in South Range, Wisconsin, made the discovery while spending time with her son along the camp's sandy shoreline.

— Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of sandy

Adjective

But the fashionable-at-the-time nakedness of the YBAs’ desire for money, most completely embodied by Hirst, quickly became crass.

— Eliza Goodpasture, ARTnews.com, 5 Oct. 2026
Murdoch is thick-skinned and accustomed to being underestimated by the condescending Brits, who see him as a crass interloper.

— David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of crass

Browse Nearby Words

coapts

coarse

coarse-grained

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“Coarse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/coarse. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of coarse

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