Phrases
the N-word or less commonly the n-word
used euphemistically to refer to the word nigger
A suburban Philadelphia school expelled "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" from its curriculum over the book's overuse of the N-word.David K. Li

Examples of N-word in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
On a WhatsApp group chat, a BAFTA representative raised the alarm about an N-word being audible, but sources said that this was only after Mosaku had left the stage. Jake Kanter, Deadline, 6 Mar. 2026 Davidson’s Tourette’s causes involuntary tics, and he was heard cursing throughout the show, however the BBC failed to censor the N-word during its broadcast, causing further harm. Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 3 Mar. 2026 White people hurl the N-word at them daily, accompanied by varying degrees of hatred, disgust and violence. Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 26 Feb. 2026 The fallout from a Tourette syndrome advocate blurting the N-word during a presentation by two Black actors at a British entertainment awards ceremony should generate more compassion — for both sides, said New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, who suffers from the condition. Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 24 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for N-word

Word History

First Known Use

1985, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of N-word was in 1985

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Cite this Entry

“N-word.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/N-word. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.

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