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
Instead, this reboot might be misremembered as a direct-to-video curio — or rediscovered as a bad cult object destined to give some idiot cinephile alcohol poisoning.
—
Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 23 Jan. 2026
Other items will also be available, such as jewelry, curios, knick-knacks, puzzles and more.
—Andrea Manes, Oc Register, 15 Jan. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for curio
Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 23 Jan. 2026
Other items will also be available, such as jewelry, curios, knick-knacks, puzzles and more.
—Andrea Manes, Oc Register, 15 Jan. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for curio
Recent Examples of Synonyms for curio
Noun
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Voles are herbivores that cause garden damage by eating plant materials such as flowers, ornamentals, bulbs, and the bark of trees.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
19 Apr. 2026
-
Use the general guide below regarding suitable depths for growing vegetables and larger ornamentals in containers.—
Andy Wilcox,
Better Homes & Gardens,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Fellow devotees should not miss this glam, affordable, old-school night out on Chicago’s North Side, celebrating live music demanding sophisticated interpretation — increasingly a rarity, alas, in our toddlin’ town.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
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The gym connects to a secluded outdoor terrace, a rarity in New York City, that will host yoga and meditation classes.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Those looking to keep the marker as a souvenir, though, can simply peel these stickers off and create a travel notebook for a physical reflection of your travels.—
Joey Skladany,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Apr. 2026
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Fans soon followed, paying a nickel for a scorecard at the stadium and coming out with a souvenir.—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
24 Apr. 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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While mainstream vehicles usually get comprehensive updates every few years, low-volume exotics tend evolve more gradually.—
Bradley Iger,
ArsTechnica,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Not having skyscrapers close enough to see people at work or home in a big city is quite a wonderful novelty.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
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People are attracted to the novelty of spending a night or two in a silo, and to Lincolnton’s setting and its dining and entertainment options, Betty Flohr said.—
Joe Marusak
April 22,
Charlotte Observer,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Unlike the recently popular minimalist styles, real home decorating reflects memories, travel, and family—knickknacks, photographs, souvenirs, and heirlooms are embraced and incorporated.—
Kristina McGuirk,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 Apr. 2026
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This small acrylic container is a great way to draw the eyes of your guests to a small knickknack of your choosing.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Curio.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/curio. Accessed 29 Apr. 2026.
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