CURVE Synonyms: 65 Similar and Opposite Words

curve 1 of 2

noun

Definition of curve

as in curvature

something that curves or is curved the bold curve of the racing yacht's hull

Synonyms & Similar Words

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curve

2 of 2

verb

as in to arc

to turn away from a straight line or course after following a straight path most of the way down the mountain, the ski trail abruptly curves to the right

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

straighten

as in to bend

to cause to turn away from a straight line curved the wood to make a bow

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 curve

Noun

Midcentury hallmarks include post-and-beam construction with interesting circles and curves breaking up the strong linearity, an open floor plan, and walls of glass providing a seamless connection to the outdoors. — Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 9 Sep. 2026 The fabric has plenty of stretch for optimum comfort, while still offering enough structure to smooth and hug your curves. — Kate Donovan, Southern Living, 9 Sep. 2026

Verb

And weighty ropes—the sort that might be used to moor a boat—are braided with chains and arranged on the ground in the form of a curving river. — Carolina A. Miranda, The New York Review of Books, 5 Sep. 2026 The designer’s signature heeled shoes, first introduced in 1959, feature a distinctive inward-curving heel, and comes in four styles, including pumps, slingback heels, boots, and cuissardes. — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 4 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for curve

Recent Examples of Synonyms for curve

Noun

The 2018 Equal Earth projection, on the other hand, follows the Earth’s curvature and shows continents in their true proportions.

— ABC News, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026
This theory predicted that the light from distant stars appearing very close to the sun's edge should shift due to the curvature of space.

— Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of curvature

Verb

From there, Zheng used her lofted forehand and backhand to pin Keys back, taking her toes off the baseline and asking her to either build points over the course of several shots, or take arcing balls on the rise, a decision heavy with risk.

— Ava Wallace, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2026
Government fire investigators said the fire, which killed 19 people and destroyed thousands of homes in Altadena, was caused by electrical arcing on Edison’s out-of-service transmission line in Eaton Canyon.

— Melody Petersen, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of arc

Verb

Genre-bending singer-songwriter Rosalía is a two-time Grammy winner, eleven-time Latin Grammy winner and four-time MTV Video Music Award winner.

— Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 9 Sep. 2026
Because a screen will bend thousands of times over the life of the smartphone, a visible crease often forms along the fold line.

— Stephen J. Beard, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of bend

Noun

Again, while many dip to their left before throwing a hook to the body, the American stands tall and finds the angle with his long reach.

— Chris McKenna, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Additional footage obtained by the Herald shows the deadly collision from overhead and from the angle of another police cruiser, shedding new light on a case that highlights the danger to the public of high-speed chases.

— Brittany Wallman, Miami Herald, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of angle

Verb

Bridal wreath spirea develops a dense, arching shape that provides an ideal home for your yard’s pollinators and birds.

— Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 10 Sep. 2026
The footage shows a coronal loop arcade — a series of arching loops of hot plasma shaped by the sun's magnetic field — extending high above the solar limb, or apparent edge of the sun.

— Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of arch

Noun

But at Turn 20, they’ll be met with a tight, 117-degree right-hand turn.

— Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
In crucial moments the music fleetingly becomes mysterious, even ominous, with minor-key harmonies and a twisting vocal turn doubled by the bass line of the piano part.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of turn

Verb

The Chiefs haven’t adapted as defenses have trended toward two deep safeties and light boxes.

— Ted Nguyen, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
The Lightblaze Sneakers are functional and cool, combining responsive support with trending details, including suede, animal print, and metallic accents.

— Kaelin Dodge, InStyle, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of trend

Browse Nearby Words

curvatures

curve

curved

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Cite this Entry

Style

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

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Synonyms of curve

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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