expletive

noun

ˈek-splə-tiv How to pronounce expletive (audio)
Definition of expletivenext
as in curse
a disrespectful or indecent word or expression unleashed a slew of expletives upon losing the tennis match

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 expletive Some Providence parents shook their heads as the clock wound down; others shouted expletives toward school administrators and Nazareth players. — Lila Hempel-Edgers, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026 Some voices rose above the crowd shouting expletives and Cooper’s name. — Danielle Battaglia, Charlotte Observer, 17 Sep. 2026 Loud jeers and expletives from Kansas fans rained upon the Tigers, most of whom were unfazed. — Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026 The video traded the genre’s typical easy-breezy style for a mashup of clips where flames rose, expletives flew, and Tiedemann flipped the bird toward the camera at every opportunity. — Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for expletive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for expletive
  1. curse
  2. swear
  3. language
  4. profanity
  5. epithet
  6. vulgarism
  7. cuss
Noun
  • The film represents Universal trying to break the franchise’s box office curse.
    — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Related Stories Taibah, who also wrote the screenplay, plays Hayat, a fiercely independent young woman convinced that a generational curse will kill her on her 30th birthday.
    — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of curse
Noun
  • The pinky swear proved binding, as Nelson wrote the screenplay within six weeks.
    — William Earl, Variety, 15 July 2026
  • Why fill with swears a show that might otherwise have been appointment viewing for the whole family?
    — Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 31 May 2026
Definition of swear
Noun
  • Givenchy was also fascinating, as Marco de Vincenzo is forging a new language for accessories there.
    — Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Jordan Firstman and Matteo Lane were recently unveiled as the English-language voices of Jim and Lucien.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of language
Noun
  • The camera then cut to McCarthy, who muttered a profanity in response.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Broadcast cameras captured Seeman turning toward McBride and directing profanity at him.
    — Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of profanity
Noun
  • The raid drew criticism over separating families, and a group of Idahoans sued, saying officers hurled racial epithets and largely withheld water, food, bathrooms and medical care.
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Hochman detailed a number of prosecutions, including the sentence of one man to a life sentence plus seven years with the possibility of parole for a March 23 attack, during which racial epithets were uttered.
    — City News Service, Daily News, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of epithet
Noun
  • As the Oxford English Dictionary notes, the expression not hardly is considered a vulgarism.
    — NR Editors, National Review, 16 Apr. 2020
  • The British cringed over new American accents, coinages and vulgarisms.
    — Time, Time, 11 June 2019
Definition of vulgarism
Noun
  • He’d just been followed down a country highway by an angry mob, which screamed cusses and gave him the finger.
    — Chris Smith, Vanity Fair, 11 May 2026
  • My grandmother extended a ladder up into this tough old cuss of a tree and climbed up, at some risk, to pick the bulging fruit.
    — Jim Meddleton, The Christian Science Monitor, 1 May 2024
Definition of cuss

Browse Nearby Words

explanatory
expletive
expletives
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Expletive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expletive. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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