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curios

noun

plural of curio
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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of curios Over the past few years, Sofie Birch has amassed a sparkling catalog of bucolic curios on outré labels. — Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 24 July 2026 The villas are filled with books, instruments, games, curios and thoughtful details that suggest actual living rather than generic hospitality design. — Arion McNicoll, TheWeek, 15 June 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for curios
  1. ornamentals
  2. rarities
  3. novelties
  4. curiosities
  5. souvenirs
  6. ornaments
  7. trinkets
  8. knickknacks
Noun
  • While this group of pathogens has an extensive range of hosts, it is often observed on woody ornamentals—viburnum or rhododendron, for example—and trees like dogwood or maple.
    — Emily Leahy, Hartford Courant, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Select a fungicide labeled for leaf spots on ornamentals and follow the label.
    — Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of ornamentals
Noun
  • With price tags far beyond the reach of the average museum, many of these rarities end up in private collections, including those of celebrities like Leonardo DiCaprio and Russell Crowe.
    — Anne Doran, ARTnews.com, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Unlike Russell, whose legacy has been beautifully maintained in books, films, and re-releases, Hall’s solo work has only been available as a series of rarities and independent releases.
    — Harry Tafoya, Pitchfork, 9 July 2026
Definition of rarities
Noun
  • Founded in 2019, Whatnot built its audience on novelties and collectibles.
    — Ryan Baker, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Other novelties included Kiss Kiss, reinvented in 2005 with Hervé Can der Straeten, and Rouge G, reinvented with Lorenz Bäumer featuring the famed double-mirror case.
    — Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of novelties
Noun
  • The Lucas Museum has a cabinet of curiosities, the crown jewels of which are production pieces from Star Wars and other fortune-making IP that made this venture possible.
    — Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Although at first dismissed as mere curiosities, WHEEP-3’s criticisms of the AI industry became widely disseminated when Tran published a collection of them in a book, Principal Components of Artifice, an instant bestseller.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of curiosities
Noun
  • Edible souvenirs also beat handing your group chat another keychain.
    — Ashley Lynch, Miami Herald, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Don Quijote, known as Donki, layers groceries, discount goods and souvenirs under one roof and offers tax-free shopping for eligible international visitors.
    — Ashley Lynch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of souvenirs
Noun
  • The report also alleges that Chavez-DeRemer used her staff for personal tasks, such as organizing her closet and purchasing holiday ornaments.
    — Luke Barr, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The route is made extra special during the winter holidays with twinkling lights, dangling ornaments and sightings of Father Solstice passing by on his own train.
    — Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of ornaments
Noun
  • Originally designed to organize individual pieces of metal type for printing, these wooden trays feature dozens of compartments of varying sizes and are perfectly suited for displaying your most treasured trinkets.
    — Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Postcards, prints and trinkets from the Jim Crow era depicted the idea.
    — Matt Baker, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of trinkets
Noun
  • The angular build brings in thoughtful symmetry and lots of tabletop space to curate a varied display of coffee table books and knickknacks.
    — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The General Store, a Littleton spot for gifts, knickknacks and small bites, will open its second location in the unit directly next door to the 26-foot-tall ice cream churn bucket.
    — Matthew Geiger, Denver Post, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of knickknacks

Browse Nearby Words

curio
curios
curiosa
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Cite this Entry

“Curios.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/curios. Accessed 17 Sep. 2026.

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