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
Harris has an ongoing case from last August, in which he was charged with gross misdemeanor assault. — Mara H. Gottfried, Twin Cities, 13 Aug. 2026 Variety has learned that the team is not asking for first dollar gross, meaning they’d get paid from the box office pot before the studio recoups a dime. — Matt Donnelly, Variety, 12 Aug. 2026
Noun
In a series distinguished by copious disgusting battle scenes, Ormund co-stars in one of its very grossest—a gross-on-gross-on-gross flambé—and almost gets in one last barf. — Sarah Larson, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026 Since launching wide on July 29, the tentpole has pulled in a cumulative gross of $25 million from 3,384,147 total admissions. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 3 Aug. 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
  • State Farm Arena policy prohibits clothing displaying explicit language, profanity or derogatory characterizations, while the NBA Fan Code of Conduct prohibits obscene or indecent messages on clothing.
    — Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 17 Aug. 2026
  • The Tarrant County decorum policy prohibits personal attacks and impertinent, profane, obscene or slanderous remarks.
    — Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of obscene
Adjective
  • While some cleansers can leave your skin feeling tight or dry, this tonic helps my complexion feel soft, plump, and refreshed—the perfect hydrated canvas for the rest of my morning skin-care routine.
    — Sara Tan, Allure, 11 Aug. 2026
  • An InStyle editor’s mom swears by the Mario Badescu Super Collagen Mask for plump, firm, even skin.
    — Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of plump
Adjective
  • To put it in its crassest terms, the story needs to come before the reporter.
    — K.J. Yossman, Variety, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Cruise plays Digger Rockwell, a crass and charismatic oil executive who’s called upon to help save the world after his company nearly destroys it.
    — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 13 July 2026
Definition of crass
Adjective
  • A lot of speech on the far right is motivated by blatant antisemitism.
    — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Then, after a blatant double hit call was missed by the refs, Townsend lost focus just long enough to cost them the game.
    — Todd Boss, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of blatant
Adjective
  • In a series distinguished by copious disgusting battle scenes, Ormund co-stars in one of its very grossest—a gross-on-gross-on-gross flambé—and almost gets in one last barf.
    — Sarah Larson, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026
  • His central characters can be nasty, disgusting, violent, hysterically cruel, and passionately consumed.
    — CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of disgusting
Noun
  • In 2025, the company flew a total of 170 times (165 by Falcon 9 and five by Starship).
    — Mike Wall, Space.com, 19 Aug. 2026
  • The new totals come some three months since the outbreak was declared on May 15.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of total
Noun
  • The growth trajectory Neville talks about — industry sources estimate the brand will reach $100 million in net revenue this year — has not gone unnoticed by the industry.
    — Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • In its latest quarter, DRAM accounted for 76% of Micron's total revenue.
    — CJ Haddad,Katie Tarasov, CNBC, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of revenue
Verb
  • Sam Surridge followed eight minutes later, netting his team's leading 12th goal of the season, scoring off his back heel and putting Nashville up 3-1.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 16 Aug. 2026
  • The Dodgers majority owner, who had bought his stake in the basketball team last year at a $10-billion valuation, likely netted a big payday from the sale to former Disney Chief Executive Bob Iger and venture capitalist Joshua Kushner.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 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 22 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on gross

Nglish: Translation of gross for Spanish Speakers

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