swear

¹swear

verb \ˈswer\

swore\ˈswȯr\sworn\ˈswȯrn\swear·ing

Definition of SWEAR

transitive verb

1

: to utter or take solemnly (an oath)

2

a : to assert as true or promise under oath <a sworn affidavit> <swore to uphold the Constitution> b : to assert or promise emphatically or earnestly <swore he'd study harder next time>

3

a : to put to an oath : administer an oath to b : to bind by an oath <swore them to secrecy>

4

obsolete : to invoke the name of (a sacred being) in an oath

5

: to bring into a specified state by swearing <swore his life away>

intransitive verb

1

: to take an oath

2

: to use profane or obscene language : curse

— swear·er noun

— swear by

: to place great confidence in <swears by his mechanic>

— swear for

: to give assurance for : guarantee

— swear off

: to vow to abstain from : renounce <swear off smoking>

Examples of SWEAR

1. He swore revenge on the killers.
2. I swear to God, I'll kill him if he comes back.
3. Don't swear in front of the children.
4. I do solemnly swear to tell the whole truth.

Origin of SWEAR

Middle English sweren, from Old English swerian; akin to Old High German swerien to swear and perhaps to Old Church Slavic svarŭ quarrel

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to SWEAR

Synonyms: blaspheme, curse, cuss

Related Words: anathematize, confound, damn, execrate, imprecate; fulminate, rail, rant, revile

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Rhymes with SWEAR

air, Ayr, bare, bear, Blair, blare, care, chair, chare, dare, Dare, e'er, ere, err, eyre, fair, fare, flair, flare, glair, glare, hair, hare, Herr, heir, lair, mare, ne'er, pair, pare, pear, prayer, rare, rear, scare, share, snare, spare, square, stair, stare, tare, tear, their, there, vair, ware, wear, weir, where, yare