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
But that hasn’t stopped some weird curios from sneaking through.
—
Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 15 Apr. 2025
Here’s why March 30, 2025 12:00 AM Entertainment Historic photos show Hallmark’s growth to giant of cards, curios and entertainment
March 29, 2025 5:30 AM
See all stories
The Kansas City Star
J.M. Banks is The Star’s culture and identity reporter.
—J.m. Banks, Kansas City Star, 9 Apr. 2025
Set in an emporium that buys and sells outlandish collectibles and other items, Curiosity will see celebrity guests visiting to find trinkets, curios and gifts from owners Bisram and Wehn.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 12 Feb. 2025
Opening on Valentine’s Day, Jacqueline Sullivan’s new show is all about cups: as cherished wedding gifts, antiques sitting in your grandmother’s curio cabinet, detritus at the garage sale, and collectibles reinvented by contemporary artists.
—Morgan Meier, Curbed, 12 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for curio
Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 15 Apr. 2025
Here’s why March 30, 2025 12:00 AM Entertainment Historic photos show Hallmark’s growth to giant of cards, curios and entertainment
March 29, 2025 5:30 AM
See all stories
The Kansas City Star
J.M. Banks is The Star’s culture and identity reporter.
—J.m. Banks, Kansas City Star, 9 Apr. 2025
Set in an emporium that buys and sells outlandish collectibles and other items, Curiosity will see celebrity guests visiting to find trinkets, curios and gifts from owners Bisram and Wehn.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 12 Feb. 2025
Opening on Valentine’s Day, Jacqueline Sullivan’s new show is all about cups: as cherished wedding gifts, antiques sitting in your grandmother’s curio cabinet, detritus at the garage sale, and collectibles reinvented by contemporary artists.
—Morgan Meier, Curbed, 12 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for curio
Recent Examples of Synonyms for curio
Noun
-
To maintain healthy ornamentals that bloom abundantly, avoid pruning these 10 plants in summer.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
17 June 2025
-
Today, crabapple trees—tough ornamentals native to the Central Asian mountains—blanket Detroit.—
Sarah Durn,
Popular Science,
5 June 2025
Noun
-
Despite the relative rarity of myocarditis, the condition has underpinned a campaign by anti-vaccine activists to take the vaccines off the market.—
Michael Hiltzik,
Los Angeles Times,
26 June 2025
-
This long voyage, together with the rarity and beauty of sapphires, must have contributed to its high value.—
David Bressan,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2025
Noun
-
Although you may be tempted to take a souvenir with you, taking any driftwood from the beach is prohibited.—
Lydia Mansel,
Southern Living,
27 June 2025
-
Featuring her husband, Carter Reum, also 44, and their two children, 2-year-old son Phoenix and 19-month-old daughter London, the snaps featured them enjoying meals on their yacht, snorkeling and shopping for souvenirs.—
Clare Fisher,
People.com,
26 June 2025
Noun
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Longshots like Just Steel and Deposition may lack big wins, but Aaron advises not to overlook them in exotics.—
Jared Welch,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
-
Local and regional car clubs showcase more than 300 rare vehicles, from early collectibles to the latest exotics.—
Laura Daily,
Denver Post,
4 June 2025
Noun
-
To think of humans as a species that revels in possibility—unlike, say, anteaters or mice, who are not exactly seeking out novelty—seems self-evident.—
Gal Beckerman,
The Atlantic,
23 June 2025
-
Belushi and Aykroyd developed it further, wearing suits and sunglasses, on the show in 1978, and the novelty of seeing a couple of ultra-serious white guys deadpanning as blues aficionados became a hit.—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
20 June 2025
Noun
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In our woeful orthography, choir, and liar rhyme, daughter and laughter don’t, and knickknack has four—count them, four—entirely useless K’s.—
Gabe Henry,
Time,
15 Apr. 2025
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Tired of lining Instagram owner Mark Zuckerberg’s pockets without any return, Tapia recently spearheaded the work to open an accompanying online shop, the Los Feliz General Store, which sells shirts and knickknacks.—
Nate Rogers,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Curio.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/curio. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
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