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
Henry’s record-setting 20 assists are a unique curio.
—
Carl Anka, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2026
Conscription and extensive civil defense shelters, now historical curios in much of the West, remain bedrock elements of Finnish defense.
—Liam Denning, Bloomberg, 12 Mar. 2026
Meanwhile, admirers, colleagues and gallery workers have sent her curios from New Mexico, Tennessee, New England and beyond.
—Leigh-Ann Jackson, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2026
The curio cabinets are empty of their curiosities.
—Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for curio
Carl Anka, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2026
Conscription and extensive civil defense shelters, now historical curios in much of the West, remain bedrock elements of Finnish defense.
—Liam Denning, Bloomberg, 12 Mar. 2026
Meanwhile, admirers, colleagues and gallery workers have sent her curios from New Mexico, Tennessee, New England and beyond.
—Leigh-Ann Jackson, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2026
The curio cabinets are empty of their curiosities.
—Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for curio
Recent Examples of Synonyms for curio
Noun
-
This substance, aptly named powdery mildew, is a common fungus that affects an array of ornamentals, vegetables, and herbs.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
31 May 2026
-
Garlic, onions, chives, and other plants in the allium family, including ornamentals, have a strong and pungent odor that repels an assortment of garden pests.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
22 May 2026
Noun
-
Millions of Americans treated college not as a rarity, but as a natural stepping stone into the world of cubicles and six-figure salaries.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
29 May 2026
-
But the Lamborghini Miura may be ultimate finger on the pulse, not just for its heritage or rarity, but for its democratization.—
Scotty Reiss,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
If someone was caught, and murdered, scraps of their body were circulated as souvenirs and passed down through generations of white families as heirlooms.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 June 2026
-
The village boutiques scattered along the sloping cobblestone alleys are just a five-minute stroll away, and offer the standard unremarkable Provence souvenirs—traditional fabrics, yellow pottery, straw bags, and sweet-smelling soaps.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
At least the pedals aren’t awkwardly offset, unlike many Italian exotics of this era.—
Tim Pitt,
Robb Report,
18 May 2026
-
Here are my picks and exotics for the 2026 Kentucky Oaks. 2026 Kentucky Oaks Day Betting Card Race 8: $5 to Win on #2 French Fiction. Race 9: $5 to Win and Place on #8 Corporate Power ($10 total bet).—
Geoff Clark OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
1 May 2026
Noun
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These six destinations stand out because street food isn’t a novelty there — it’s woven into daily life.—
Lauren Schuster,
Charlotte Observer,
4 June 2026
-
Another novelty performer attempted to play songs using vegetables.—
Deirdre Durkan,
PEOPLE,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
From furniture to vases to kitchen bowls to knickknacks, vintage goods are interior design treasures, and their quality often holds up longer than new purchases.—
Wendy Rose Gould,
Martha Stewart,
16 May 2026
-
In Lincolnwood, Ritu Uppal, the 60-year-old owner of a knickknack and home decor store, wishes decisionmakers would prioritize people who depend on malls more, rather than treat closures as business transactions.—
Audrey Pachuta,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Curio.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/curio. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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