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
Consider a curio cabinet or shadow box to highlight sentimental items in an organized manner.
—
Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Dec. 2025
Hamnet is a somber watch, much more nakedly sentimental and weepy than Zhao’s other films (including the wonderful neo-Western The Rider, the Oscar-winning drama Nomadland, and the Marvel curio Eternals).
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 27 Nov. 2025
Advertisement While most fish-out-of-water stories are keen to highlight the strangeness of the world in which the protagonist has embedded themselves, Rental Family treats the curios of Japanese culture with the utmost respect and a naturalistic approach.
—Barry Levitt, Time, 21 Nov. 2025
Ever since its London premiere in 1986, folks have tried and failed to crack this convoluted curio of a musical, which follows a Cold War-era love triangle set in the cutthroat world of competitive chess.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 17 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for curio
Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Dec. 2025
Hamnet is a somber watch, much more nakedly sentimental and weepy than Zhao’s other films (including the wonderful neo-Western The Rider, the Oscar-winning drama Nomadland, and the Marvel curio Eternals).
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 27 Nov. 2025
Advertisement While most fish-out-of-water stories are keen to highlight the strangeness of the world in which the protagonist has embedded themselves, Rental Family treats the curios of Japanese culture with the utmost respect and a naturalistic approach.
—Barry Levitt, Time, 21 Nov. 2025
Ever since its London premiere in 1986, folks have tried and failed to crack this convoluted curio of a musical, which follows a Cold War-era love triangle set in the cutthroat world of competitive chess.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 17 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for curio
Recent Examples of Synonyms for curio
Noun
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Unlike ornamentals, which generally all go into the ground around Mother’s Day, vegetable crops have a specific planting window for success.—
Anthony Reardon,
Kansas City Star,
25 Feb. 2026
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Opting for native plants over exotic ornamentals is more practical and beneficial.—
Tessa Cooper,
The Spruce,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
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He was named the school’s athletic director in 1980, a rarity for non-football coaches, particularly in the SPC.—
Ishmael Johnson,
Dallas Morning News,
6 Mar. 2026
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While its skull is almost completely intact—a rarity for fossils of this age—part of the face is shattered, complicating its study.—
Margherita Bassi,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
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One versatile, wear-with-anything sneaker means more space in your bag for outfits and souvenirs.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Mar. 2026
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The compact pouch unfolds into a surprisingly roomy tote that can handle everything from leftovers and wet ponchos to last-minute Disney souvenirs on the way back to your resort.—
Jacqueline Dole,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The list includes coveted exotics, like the Mercedes-Benz CLK DTM, along with some unexpected names, like the Toyota Rav4 EV short-wheelbase prototype.—
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
3 Mar. 2026
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These results further reinforced the depth of demand across both European exotics and culturally significant collector cars.—
Matthew MacConnell,
Forbes.com,
16 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Thus noodles with butter went from a rare novelty to a kitchen staple for the Nguyens.—
Scott Hocker,
TheWeek,
5 Mar. 2026
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In the years since Microsoft was granted the patent, products offering to recreate the likeness of the dead have shifted from a novelty to services people use daily.—
Jacqueline Munis,
Fortune,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Whether antiques, cherished knickknacks, or heirlooms, items that are very delicate and/or precious to the customer are typically items house cleaners won’t want to mess with in order to cut down the risk of damaging them.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
11 Feb. 2026
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Displaying books, plants, and knickknacks in your office looks extra stylish with this set of four wall cubbies; the top of each cubby offers extra open space to store even more items.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
17 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Curio.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/curio. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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