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
Relevance
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
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
The business, which also includes a restaurant and a gift shop filled with Native American jewelry and other curios, largely depends on visitors to the national park.
—Ryan Heinsius, NPR, 22 Sep. 2025
Robotaxi tests began there in 2023, and the company started offering demo rides to curios spectators at Resorts World in late July.
—Salvador Rodriguez,annie Palmer, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2025
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
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
The business, which also includes a restaurant and a gift shop filled with Native American jewelry and other curios, largely depends on visitors to the national park.
—Ryan Heinsius, NPR, 22 Sep. 2025
Robotaxi tests began there in 2023, and the company started offering demo rides to curios spectators at Resorts World in late July.
—Salvador Rodriguez,annie Palmer, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for curios
Noun
-
Update ornamentals This is THE time of year to add new plants to your garden — or plant a completely new garden.—
Nan Sterman,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Dec. 2025
-
But while many edibles and ornamentals make good companions for apples and other fruit trees, some plants just don't belong in your backyard orchard.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The collection includes big-screen star cars, international rarities, antiques, military vehicles and the world’s longest limo, an Ohrberg creation.—
Dewayne Bevil,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The Mission Inn is also home to countless rarities that founder Frank Miller collected during his travels around the world.—
Lydia Price,
Travel + Leisure,
19 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
There’s much to look forward to—the novelties due to come out at LVMH’s 2026 Watch Week in Milan later this month, for starters—but also much to fret over.—
Victoria Gomelsky,
Robb Report,
7 Jan. 2026
-
The hero of the book’s first section is the sixteenth-century Spanish priest and writer Bartolomé de las Casas, who straddled the Old World and the New, issuing startling moral novelties to both.—
Vinson Cunningham,
New Yorker,
25 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
The Rusty Bolt masterfully turns scrap metal into folk art, with its mannequins and rusty cars, while Copper Cart offers classic Americana and Southwestern curiosities.—
Daria Bachmann,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Some of his boxes look like miniature cabinets of curiosities, others like Surrealist dioramas, windows into dreamlike worlds.—
Bruce Handy,
New Yorker,
22 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
The shop even offers other fun souvenirs like clothing, home décor, and gifts.—
Iona Brannon,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Jan. 2026
-
When your friends or family head out to hit the slopes, get dressed up in your winter clothes and hit the trail, or hike into town to get some fresh air and some fun souvenirs.—
Tribune News Service,
Baltimore Sun,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Christina Argonish, a full-time artisan who creates felt and clay ornaments says that high heat in attics during summers can weaken fibers, and moisture from humidity can encourage mildew.—
Jamie Cuccinelli,
Martha Stewart,
13 Jan. 2026
-
After the Eagles won the Super Bowl, a local barber, Tony Riley, crafted totes out of the banner that hung outside Lincoln Financial Field and a business in suburban Philly crafted Christmas tree ornaments out of old jerseys.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Use open shelving in your loft to store books, trinkets, and clothes.—
Claire Hoppe Norgaard,
Better Homes & Gardens,
13 Jan. 2026
-
But there are some amusing additions to her particular collection of trinkets, too.—
Elisabeth Sherman,
Parents,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Displaying knickknacks on trays is one easy way to corral visual clutter, and sticking to a limited color palette throughout your home will make your other design choices look more intentional.—
Tessa Cooper,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Portland artist Maggie Rudy has a knack for knickknacks.—
Air Mail,
Air Mail,
6 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Curios.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/curios. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
