curled 1 of 2

adjective

1
as in curly
forming or styled into loops the strokes of the capital letters were elaborately curled

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in curved
marked by a long series of irregular curves a curled and complicated route through a series of caves

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

curled

2 of 2

verb

past tense of curl
as in coiled
to follow a circular or spiral course an inviting path for joggers curls around the reservoir

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 curled
Adjective
Many marveled at a curled and rusted piece of iron that could have been one of the locomotive's wheels. — Brian Bull, NPR, 3 Sep. 2026 While attending the Hollywood icon’s 100th birthday celebration in Los Angeles, Jones rocked a curled bob, swept to one side. — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 14 Aug. 2026 Look in curled leaves that often contain webs with the larva stages — often called worms. — Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 June 2026 Gaze at the curled little fists, the perfect nails. — Literary Hub, 19 June 2026 Assistants can nick head-to-toe Chanel looks from the fashion closet without anyone batting a Shu Uemura–curled eyelash. — Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 28 Apr. 2026 Look for curled edges, bare spots where granules have worn away and any flashing that looks lifted or bent. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Apr. 2026 And the curled posture of the embryo follows an ovoid shape like that of an egg. — Kate Wong, Scientific American, 15 Apr. 2026 Lancôme’s Lash Idôle Curl Goddess Mascara gives you longer, more curled lashes in just a few swipes. — Lily Wohlner, Allure, 28 Mar. 2026
Verb
Jović had match point on Eala’s serve at 4-5, 30-40, but Eala curled a serve just on the service line and Jović overcooked her backhand, sending it long. — Ava Wallace, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026 Women figured prominently in many of Mansour’s works, such as the 1984 Flight to Egypt, depicting a mother curled over her sleeping baby. — News Desk, Artforum, 28 Aug. 2026 Mosses and lichens filled the hollows, while yellowish dead man’s fingers — a spooky and thus aptly named fungus — curled among low-growing rhododendrons that perfumed the air with warm, woody notes. — Denise Hruby, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2026 Tara Rudd drove toward Angel City’s back line and threaded a pass through to Rodman, who raced downfield and curled a shot just over goalkeeper Angelina Anderson. — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2026 Instead of lying flat, the hem curled and fell like waves around the body, creating a high-low effect. — Amina Ayoud, Footwear News, 16 Aug. 2026 Tara Rudd drove toward Angel City’s backline and threaded a pass through to Rodman, who raced downfield and curled a shot just over goalkeeper Angelina Anderson. — ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026 Iván Moreno played him in behind Bernardo Rhein, who had pushed too far forward, and Arcila curled his shot past Crépeau. — Kyle Foley, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 Aug. 2026 For an additional pop of color, Cardi wore her hair in an icy blue bob that was parted to the side and curled under at the ends. — Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 27 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for curled
  1. curly
  2. curved
  3. coiled
  4. wavy
  5. twisted
  6. winding
  7. serpentine
Adjective
  • The hairs were long, black, and curly like the pubes of a buffalo.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 Sep. 2026
  • But those with curly hair might wash it much less frequently.
    — Alexandra Frost, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of curly
Adjective
  • The curved trees were then placed on a horizontal rotating platform inside a sphere lit up from every direction.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The tight cropping in the monochrome nudes isolates slopes, folds, shadowed recesses and curved planes that hover between landscape and abstraction.
    — Tara Anne Dalbow, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of curved
Verb
  • The lights dangled from white beams, their power cables coiled and hanging like tails.
    — Caitlín Doherty, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026
  • This species spends most of its time coiled around tree branches more than 30 meters (100 feet) high, descending during the night to prey on birds, small mammals, frogs, and other reptiles on the forest floor.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of coiled
Adjective
  • The island’s central main living area, moved closer to the beach, now has a long, wavy bar at its heart, which opens onto indoor and courtyard dining spaces.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Common signs of moldy books include a musty or earthy smell, discoloration (especially black, white, green, or orange spots), soft or fuzzy patches on the cover or pages, and warped or wavy pages due to moisture.
    — Lauren Bengtson, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of wavy
Adjective
  • Merchandise was strewn about the vendor area and ruined; tents were left twisted and destroyed.
    — Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 7 Sep. 2026
  • At heart, the film is a twisted love letter to the glory of community theater.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of twisted
Adjective
  • Every floor and room is dedicated to specific watch brands and timepieces, featuring bespoke details like watch-hand door handles and winding-crown faucet handles, all crafted by Florentine artisans.
    — Irene S. Levine, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • As such, the show takes you on a winding journey of France’s influential craftsmanship and its impact on America via archival looks, dazzling objects, and more modern creations.
    — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 29 May 2026
Definition of winding
Adjective
  • Peter Zumthor’s design hoists a serpentine platform atop pavilions that read like stout, truncated legs, making the edifice almost creaturely in its architectural stance.
    — George Baker, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The larvae feed on the tree through winter, carving serpentine tunnels that ultimately interfere with the tree’s ability to feed itself.
    — Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of serpentine

Browse Nearby Words

curl
curled
curled up
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Cite this Entry

“Curled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/curled. Accessed 14 Sep. 2026.

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