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 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 Each table is presented with a complimentary basket of garlic bread and a plate of housemade mozzarella with coarse salt. — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 25 Sep. 2026 So that’s one of the things is from a coarse grain scale, the wave-like pattern goes away. — Quanta Magazine, 17 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

Continue reading … SOUR NOTE — Hayley Williams unleashes vulgar insult at DHS after agency defends ICE officers.

— , FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026
This has made some machine translations comically inaccurate, sometimes turning innocuous words into vulgar references in English.

— Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of vulgar

Adjective

Another bemoaned the amount of money spent on Marsh’s NIL deal, using similar obscene language.

— Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026
The disingenuous campaign ads, the obscene amount of money that is spent to air them and the promises that are rarely fulfilled are enough to make one cynical.

— Cal Thomas, Arkansas Online, 6 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

Measles usually kills two or three people in every 1,000 cases, the WHO says, but the disease can be more deadly in poorer nations because of factors such as malnutrition.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
That receiver sends that poor defender into next week at the pylon.

— Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of poor

Adjective

On the Mediterranean side, Playa de Santa Bárbara is a wide sandy beach north of the border, with the immense Rock of Gibraltar rising to the south — a potentially spectacular foreground.

— Jamie Carter, Space.com, 18 Oct. 2026
In 2025, Kuznietsov was arrested by Italian police in Rimini – a city in northern Italy known for its sandy beaches and Roman landmarks – and later extradited to Germany.

— Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 14 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

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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 19 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of coarse

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