indecently
indecently — adverb
1. describing behaviour or dress that breaks public rules about modesty, often by s
describing behaviour or dress that breaks public rules about modesty, often by showing too much of the body or by talking about sex when other people would find it shocking.
Otis was arrested for behaving indecently in a public park late at night.
verb + indecently for unlawful behaviour
The judge ruled that the photographs showed the model indecently exposed.
indecently + past participle (exposed/dressed)
Camille said the comedian's jokes about her colleagues were indecently rude.
Bao was warned by the museum guard for dancing indecently in front of the statue.
The school principal said the costume was cut indecently low at the front.
- obscenely
stronger; suggests sexual offence specifically
- lewdly
formal/legal; sexual intent emphasised
- improperly
milder; covers manners and dress without strong moral charge
文法句型
indecently + past participle
indecently + adjective
用法筆記
Most often pairs with verbs of dress, exposure, or public behaviour (expose, dress, behave, touch). Distinguish from sense 2: this sense always implies moral or legal offence; sense 2 only marks excess.
常見錯誤
2. to a degree that feels far beyond what is reasonable or fair, often used in a ha
to a degree that feels far beyond what is reasonable or fair, often used in a half-joking way to complain — for example, a salary that is indecently high, or a holiday that ends indecently soon.
Yuna's new tech job pays an indecently large bonus every December.
indecently + adjective expressing excess
Selim looked indecently pleased when his rival lost the chess match.
indecently + adjective (pleased/happy/proud)
Tamar got promoted indecently quickly, only three months after she was hired.
The new café charges an indecently low price for fresh croissants.
Vikram finished the marathon indecently fast for someone who had not trained.
- ridiculously
very common; same playful exaggeration
- absurdly
stronger sense of irrationality
- unreasonably
neutral; less playful
- moderately
at a reasonable level
- modestly
in a small or restrained amount
文法句型
indecently + adjective
indecently + adverb
用法筆記
Often jocular or hyperbolic; tone is gentle complaint or playful envy. Subject of complaint is usually a number, quantity, or pace (salary, price, speed). Contrast sense 1, which carries genuine moral disapproval.
常見錯誤
indecently — adjective
1. describing behaviour, language, or images that most people would find clearly im
describing behaviour, language, or images that most people would find clearly improper or shocking, usually because they break rules about sex, the body, or public taste.
Femi argued in court that the cartoon was indecently offensive to religious readers.
indecently + offensive (predicative adjective phrase)
The gallery removed the painting after visitors called it indecently shocking.
Sofia refused to share the indecently graphic photos with her younger cousins.
The radio station was fined for broadcasting jokes that listeners found indecently crude.
- decent
in line with public standards
文法句型
the indecently + noun
be considered indecently
用法筆記
Rare as a free-standing attributive adjective; almost always combines with another adjective (indecently offensive, indecently graphic) or appears in legal or critical writing. Cf. sense 2, which marks something merely inappropriate rather than morally shocking.
常見錯誤
2. describing something that feels unsuitable for the moment or setting — for examp
describing something that feels unsuitable for the moment or setting — for example, a remark made indecently early after a funeral, or laughter that is indecently loud in a quiet library.
Christopher thought the wedding toast was indecently brief for such a long friendship.
indecently + adjective marking unsuitability
Anna's text message arrived indecently soon after her ex-boyfriend's funeral.
indecently + adverb (soon/early/late)
Élise found the loud music indecently cheerful for a hospital waiting room.
The minister's joke struck many listeners as indecently casual for the occasion.
- unseemly
near-synonym; same idea of social mismatch
- inappropriate
very common; neutral register
- fitting
well-suited to the occasion
- appropriate
neutral antonym
文法句型
indecently + adjective
用法筆記
Marks a mismatch between something and the social moment, not a moral failing. Distinguish from sense 1: sense 2 is about timing or fit (a remark made indecently early); sense 1 is about content that shocks (a film called indecently offensive).