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
Go treasure hunting at the Antique Center of La Crosse, a three-story trove of vintage finds and quirky curios.
—
Karthika Gupta, Travel + Leisure, 15 Aug. 2025
Twin brothers and founders Dean and Dale Peterson stocked it with British antiques and pop-culture curios while building one of the tastiest menus in Glendale, with favorites such as fish and chips but also Mexican fare and — as of the 1990s — some of Colorado’s first commercial craft brews.
—John Wenzel, Denver Post, 13 Aug. 2025
But the gaps between them overflowed with street venders, curio shops, taquerías, liquor stores, and T-shirt stands, with the hawkers scouting the crowds around them.
—Burkhard Bilger, New Yorker, 28 July 2025
At her house in Harrison County, Theresa Brandenburg keeps a small wooden curio box.
—Sarah Henry, The Courier-Journal, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for curio
Karthika Gupta, Travel + Leisure, 15 Aug. 2025
Twin brothers and founders Dean and Dale Peterson stocked it with British antiques and pop-culture curios while building one of the tastiest menus in Glendale, with favorites such as fish and chips but also Mexican fare and — as of the 1990s — some of Colorado’s first commercial craft brews.
—John Wenzel, Denver Post, 13 Aug. 2025
But the gaps between them overflowed with street venders, curio shops, taquerías, liquor stores, and T-shirt stands, with the hawkers scouting the crowds around them.
—Burkhard Bilger, New Yorker, 28 July 2025
At her house in Harrison County, Theresa Brandenburg keeps a small wooden curio box.
—Sarah Henry, The Courier-Journal, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for curio
Recent Examples of Synonyms for curio
Noun
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Taller ornamental grasses work well for the vertical element in more permanent in-ground mum displays, and dwarf varieties, which are still often two feet tall, are well-suited for fall container designs.—
Andy Wilcox,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 Sep. 2025
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Mealybugs can affect all types of crops, ornamentals, and houseplants, including succulents and cacti.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
31 July 2025
Noun
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With these awards, BAFTA also reasserts its interest in awarding video games and their creators, still a rarity in the usual awards space.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
11 Oct. 2025
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Uniacke, who has two shops on Pimlico Road, is a rarity in the design world.—
Samantha Conti,
Footwear News,
11 Oct. 2025
Noun
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According to the New York Post, visitors broke off parts of the headstone as souvenirs.—
Christopher Rudolph,
PEOPLE,
8 Oct. 2025
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Entry fees vary and include a goody bag, souvenir shirt and finisher medal.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Native to Brazil and other South American and Central American countries, colorful peacock bass were stocked in South Florida canals in the mid-1980s by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to control the population of undesirable exotics like tilapia.—
Steve Waters,
Miami Herald,
10 Oct. 2025
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European exotics were also present.—
Keenan Thompson,
USA Today,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Daniel Jones’ success is becoming less of a novelty and more of a logical endpoint in Shane Steichen’s rhythmic system.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
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But what will make people keep using Sora after the novelty wears off?—
Deni Ellis Béchard,
Scientific American,
9 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Plus, the top is ideal for displaying decor like family photos or knickknacks.—
Shea Simmons,
Southern Living,
10 Oct. 2025
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With six tiers and two extra shelves at the base, there’s room to show off your favorite reads, plus a plant or a couple knickknacks.—
Toni Sutton,
PEOPLE,
6 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Curio.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/curio. Accessed 13 Oct. 2025.
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