gross 1 of 3

adjective

ˈgrōs How to pronounce gross (audio)
Definition of grossnext
1
as in obscene
depicting or referring to sexual matters in a way that is unacceptable in polite society he was thrown out of class for making a gross gesture

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2
as in plump
having an excess of body fat a very gross cat trying to squeeze through a small opening in the fence

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3
as in crass
lacking in refinement or good taste she haughtily refused to mix with what she called "the gross masses who are unappreciative of fine art"

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4
as in blatant
very noticeable especially for being incorrect or bad a gross mistake that some proofreader should have caught

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5
as in disgusting
causing intense displeasure, disgust, or resentment the little boy insisted that worms are gross

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gross

2 of 3

noun

1
as in total

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2
as in revenue

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gross

3 of 3

verb

as in to net

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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
Adjective
Another set of execs and filmmakers wouldn’t have bellied up to this grim, gross anti-hero to round out their first trio of movies meant to reset a massive franchise. — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 21 Oct. 2026 A student can qualify for help as long as their household earns less than 300% of the gross median income in their area. — Cory Turner, NPR, 20 Oct. 2026
Noun
Sheeran's Loop Tour was the highest-grossing in the world, with an average box office gross of over $7 million per city, Pollstar said in May. — CBS News, 20 Sep. 2026 Sheeran’s Loop Tour was the highest-grossing in the world, with an average box office gross of over $7 million per city, Pollstar said in May. — ABC News, 19 Sep. 2026
Verb
That film, of course, is Bohemian Rhapsody, which currently holds the all-time box office record as the highest grossing music biopic of all time with a worldwide box office tally of $911 million. — Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 6 June 2026 The grocer didn’t respond to a request for comment, but a retail property expert familiar with store leases estimated that Erewhon would need to gross more than $1 million per week to cover the Culver City rent disclosed in the recent lawsuit. — Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for gross
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gross
  1. obscene
  2. plump
  3. crass
  4. blatant
  5. disgusting
  6. total
  7. revenue
  8. net
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
  • Interiors are simple—there’s just a huge double bed, a daybed, and plump floor cushions.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Readers rave about the flavorful combination of fresh apples, plump, juicy raisins, and cinnamon.
    — Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of plump
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
Adjective
  • This blatant robbery is the pending bill to ban the 68 Central Park horse carriages.
    — New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The definition further added that neglect should involve blatant disregard of parental responsibilities resulting in a real, significant and imminent risk of harm to the child.
    — Jennifer L. Brinkley, The Conversation, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of blatant
Adjective
  • Comparing the administration's fight to protect women and women's spaces from males to rape, is utterly disgusting and actually devalues those atrocities and crimes against actual women.
    — Jon Root OutKick, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The squad has not been beefed up at all after a shameful and disgusting transfer window.
    — Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of disgusting
Noun
  • After this five-man combination was outscored by a total of 25 points in 22 minutes together over the Heat’s first two games of the season, the Heat’s starters were outscored by five points in eight minutes together on Friday.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 25 Oct. 2026
  • International and local election monitors had expressed concern about the safety and fairness of an election campaign marked by detentions, near-total government control over the media and reports of surveillance and cyberattacks against activists.
    — Jovana Gec, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of total
Noun
  • The university’s announcement also did not provide specific figures for efficiency improvements, additional revenue, or the cost of installing thermal storage.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Fourth-quarter revenue is expected to rise 3% from the previous quarter but remain 34% below year-earlier levels, according to Jefferies.
    — Jenny Lee, CNBC, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of revenue
Verb
  • Democratic groups are spending a lot on Turek as well, identifying his race as a top pickup opportunity in a cycle where Democrats need to net four Senate seats to retake the majority.
    — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The company generated $260 million in revenue in the first half of 2026, up 15% year-on-year, while netting $18 million in profit.
    — Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of net

Phrases Containing gross

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groping
gross
grossed
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Cite this Entry

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

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