1
as in ornamentals
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 rarities
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 curios
From room to room walls are covered in blue block prints or hot-pink illustrations of pear trees, while floors are scattered with artisanal rugs and a collection of curios—a rooster statue, a floral dress form—is hidden all over.
—
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 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
Other items will also be available, such as jewelry, curios, knick-knacks, puzzles and more.
—Andrea Manes, Oc Register, 15 Jan. 2026
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
Frankenstein was even part of the dark ’n’ gritty action-horror hybrid trend of the 2010s, bringing us weird curios like Frankenstein’s Army (2013) and I, Frankenstein (2014).
—Katie Rife, Vulture, 9 Nov. 2025
Made in Ancient Egypt, which opened this month at Cambridge’s Fitzwilliam Museum, features commemorative stela, golden coffins and masks, and sundry curios created in a style that changed very little down the centuries.
—Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 13 Oct. 2025
But more and more, Black List darlings wind up as buzzy Netflix curios like They Cloned Tyrone and May December.
—Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 1 Oct. 2025
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 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
Other items will also be available, such as jewelry, curios, knick-knacks, puzzles and more.
—Andrea Manes, Oc Register, 15 Jan. 2026
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
Frankenstein was even part of the dark ’n’ gritty action-horror hybrid trend of the 2010s, bringing us weird curios like Frankenstein’s Army (2013) and I, Frankenstein (2014).
—Katie Rife, Vulture, 9 Nov. 2025
Made in Ancient Egypt, which opened this month at Cambridge’s Fitzwilliam Museum, features commemorative stela, golden coffins and masks, and sundry curios created in a style that changed very little down the centuries.
—Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 13 Oct. 2025
But more and more, Black List darlings wind up as buzzy Netflix curios like They Cloned Tyrone and May December.
—Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 1 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for curios
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
-
In honor of his 85th birthday, the American Cinematheque will be putting on another program of two oddball rarities from his long career.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
22 May 2026
-
The space is also adorned with vitrines showcasing jewelry by David Webb, Boucheron, and René Boivin, as well as other rarities, like an asteroid fragment and a Tyrannosaurus rex tooth.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Dollar Tree, Dollar General and Family Dollar all stock cooking tools, small appliances and storage helpers that go beyond cheap plastic novelties, and a handful are genuinely worth grabbing on your next run.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Miami Herald,
20 May 2026
-
The two-day festival will feature more than 90 vendor booths lining Broadway with arts, crafts, clothing, novelties, gifts and food.—
Jenna Ebbers,
Kansas City Star,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
Each area has unique touches, almost like a collection of curiosities.—
Jim Dobson,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
-
In a matter of months, unmanned vehicles have gone from rare frontline curiosities to standard issue.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
Noun
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Nearby, seasonal treats and activities like ice cream, arcade games, and souvenirs can be found.—
Elizabeth Rhodes,
Travel + Leisure,
28 May 2026
-
This special edition — adorned with a postcard-style graphics evoking vintage travel souvenirs — stands out as one of the most emblematic pieces from their two-decade partnership.—
Rhonda Richford,
Footwear News,
26 May 2026
Noun
-
But early last Saturday evening, two bullets shattered the glass between displays of Christmas ornaments and dining plates.—
Matt Viser,
The Atlantic,
1 June 2026
-
Since anybody recalled, the gate had been topped with decorative ornaments.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
Perhaps in imitation of the former occupant—known only through the photographs, books, textiles, and trinkets covering the walls and the floor—Liden sits topless at a piano.—
Erika Landström,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
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To their surprise, there are only seven small boxes, containing photos, sketches, notes, and a scattering of trinkets to go through.—
Bianca Betancourt,
CNN Money,
2 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
-
Add a natural wood or wicker coffee table to the living room, or stack some stone knickknacks on a side table.—
Kylie Petty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Curios.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/curios. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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