lewd

adjective

ˈlüd How to pronounce lewd (audio)
Synonyms of lewdnext
1
a
: obscene, vulgar
lewd remarks
b
: sexually unchaste or licentious (see licentious sense 1)
lewd behavior
2
obsolete : evil, wicked
lewdly adverb
lewdness noun

Synonyms of lewd

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Examples of lewd in a Sentence

He made lewd remarks to the woman at the bar. bystanders were shocked by the lewd behavior of the couple in the park
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Officers responded Saturday to the Barnes & Noble at the Palladio after receiving reports of a man engaging in lewd conduct inside the store, Folsom police said. — Madisen Keavy, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026 The 64-year-old Fort Bragg man was arrested on suspicion of committing lewd or lascivious acts with a child younger than 14, the Amador County Sheriff’s Office announced in a news release. — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 4 Aug. 2026 Jose Rincon, of Hayward, was charged with two counts of committing a lewd act on a child. — Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 2 Aug. 2026 But the school’s dress code prohibits messages that are lewd, indecent, vulgar or profane. — Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 1 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lewd

Word History

Etymology

Middle English lewed vulgar, from Old English lǣwede laical, ignorant

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of lewd was in the 14th century

Rhymes for lewd

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Browse Nearby Words

lew
lewd
lewdly
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Cite this Entry

“Lewd.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lewd. Accessed 9 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

lewd

adjective
ˈlüd How to pronounce lewd (audio)
1
: showing interest in sex in a rude manner
lewd behavior
2
: indecent
lewd remarks
lewdly adverb
lewdness noun

Legal Definition

lewd

adjective
ˈlüd How to pronounce lewd (audio)
: involving or being sexual conduct that is considered indecent or offensive : licentious
convicted of lewd and lascivious assault upon a child—National Law Journal
lewdly adverb
lewdness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on lewd

Nglish: Translation of lewd for Spanish Speakers

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