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
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
Plates and placemats, yellowed bed linens and napkins, glassware, curios, and sewing kits.
—Libby Buck
july 1, Literary Hub, 1 July 2025
Depending on where these curios are sold, they might also be referred to as Jenny Hanivers, garadiávolos or rayas chupacabras.
—Peter Kyne, The Conversation, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for curio
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
Plates and placemats, yellowed bed linens and napkins, glassware, curios, and sewing kits.
—Libby Buck
july 1, Literary Hub, 1 July 2025
Depending on where these curios are sold, they might also be referred to as Jenny Hanivers, garadiávolos or rayas chupacabras.
—Peter Kyne, The Conversation, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for curio
Recent Examples of Synonyms for curio
Noun
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Another garden mainstay, marigolds bloom from early summer through fall, and they're cherished as ornamentals as well as pest-repelling companion plants.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
26 Aug. 2025
-
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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But the rarity or fluky quality of an accomplishment only gives it so much staying power.—
Andrew Baggarly,
New York Times,
13 Sep. 2025
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The package will contain a new Dolby Atmos Mix of the album, nine studio rarities, and 16 songs recorded at the Los Angeles Sports Arena on April 26, 1975.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Inventory often includes hats, headbands, sunglasses, plush dolls, souvenir sipper cups, autograph books, bubble wands and lightsabers sold in the Disney parks.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
16 Sep. 2025
-
The souvenir, which Izenberg thinks was signed after Frazier’s and Ali’s retirements, might suggest a thawing of relations between the men.—
Vann R. Newkirk II,
The Atlantic,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Along with affordable exotics, young collectors are also paying up for supercars, especially rare and highly specific Paganis, Bugattis and Rufs, the boutique German builder.—
Robert Frank,
CNBC,
14 Aug. 2025
-
All exotics should be considered New Gear.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
12 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Far from novelties, these Copenhagen tours offer new perspectives on the Danish capital city’s history, trendy neighborhoods, and daily life, often in ways a bus tour simply cannot.—
David Nikel,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
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Today, the practice has taken on a playful twist, with people reimagining themselves in royal attire for humor and novelty.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Inside, three bedrooms and two baths are packed into roughly 1,300 square feet of eclectically stylish living space, all of it tinged with vintage and artistic touches from cozy nooks to kitschy knickknacks.—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
1 Sep. 2025
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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,
31 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Curio.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/curio. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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