1
as in ornamental
a small object displayed for its attractiveness or interest
be careful of the fragile curios on the end tables
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in rarity
something strange or unusual that is an object of interest
a museum's collection of curios brought back from the Far East by 19th-century traders
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of curio
Advertisement While most fish-out-of-water stories are keen to highlight the strangeness of the world in which the protagonist has embedded themselves, Rental Family treats the curios of Japanese culture with the utmost respect and a naturalistic approach.
—
Barry Levitt, Time, 21 Nov. 2025
Ever since its London premiere in 1986, folks have tried and failed to crack this convoluted curio of a musical, which follows a Cold War-era love triangle set in the cutthroat world of competitive chess.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 17 Nov. 2025
Frankenstein was even part of the dark ’n’ gritty action-horror hybrid trend of the 2010s, bringing us weird curios like Frankenstein’s Army (2013) and I, Frankenstein (2014).
—Katie Rife, Vulture, 9 Nov. 2025
Made in Ancient Egypt, which opened this month at Cambridge’s Fitzwilliam Museum, features commemorative stela, golden coffins and masks, and sundry curios created in a style that changed very little down the centuries.
—Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 13 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for curio
Barry Levitt, Time, 21 Nov. 2025
Ever since its London premiere in 1986, folks have tried and failed to crack this convoluted curio of a musical, which follows a Cold War-era love triangle set in the cutthroat world of competitive chess.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 17 Nov. 2025
Frankenstein was even part of the dark ’n’ gritty action-horror hybrid trend of the 2010s, bringing us weird curios like Frankenstein’s Army (2013) and I, Frankenstein (2014).
—Katie Rife, Vulture, 9 Nov. 2025
Made in Ancient Egypt, which opened this month at Cambridge’s Fitzwilliam Museum, features commemorative stela, golden coffins and masks, and sundry curios created in a style that changed very little down the centuries.
—Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 13 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for curio
Recent Examples of Synonyms for curio
Noun
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Take advantage of a warm, sunny day to clean out flowerbeds. February into March is the time to prune roses and summer-blooming ornamentals.—
Barbara Gillette,
The Spruce,
15 Jan. 2026
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This tree was widely planted as an ornamental for its fall color, as a nectar source for honeybees, and as a source of vegetable tallow used in cosmetics and candles.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
23 Dec. 2025
Noun
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But if Yquem’s reputation and rarity keeps it among the world’s most expensive wines for only celebratory occasions, the availability and modest price of so many other great Sauternes allows anyone to enjoy them with friends throughout the year.—
John Mariani,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
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Homegrown rarities Clay Buchholz and Jon Lester headlined the ‘13 champions, but Boston’s most recent World Series squad in 2018 boasted a dazzling, but entirely outside rotation.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
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For most fans, bringing home a souvenir from a live sporting event is one of the most exciting things to experience.—
Josh Taylor,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
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Souvenir pin and midway wristband For those looking to go to the Stock Show more than once, a souvenir pin or midway wristband may be the way to go.—
Brayden Garcia
January 8,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Click up to Sport or Race mode (available selections also include Wet, Comfort, and ESC Off), and suddenly the continent-crosser morphs into a high-strung canyon carver, one with enough punch to hang with more-muscular exotics.—
Jonny Lieberman,
Robb Report,
17 Jan. 2026
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These results further reinforced the depth of demand across both European exotics and culturally significant collector cars.—
Matthew MacConnell,
Forbes.com,
16 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Orthodox Jews viewed the pop-up novelty with its mixed troupes as an abomination, but young female actors and singers embraced the emancipatory promise of the stage.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
22 Jan. 2026
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Of the remaining title tilt scenarios, only a Broncos-Rams matchup would prove to be a novelty pairing.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Displaying books, plants, and knickknacks in your office looks extra stylish with this set of four wall cubbies; the top of each cubby offers extra open space to store even more items.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
17 Jan. 2026
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Portland artist Maggie Rudy has a knack for knickknacks.—
Air Mail,
Air Mail,
6 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Curio.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/curio. Accessed 27 Jan. 2026.
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