curl 1 of 2

noun

Definition of curlnext
as in wave
a length of hair that forms a loop or series of loops let her hair grow in its natural curls

Synonyms & Similar Words

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curl

2 of 2

verb

ˈkər(-ə)l How to pronounce curl (audio)
as in to coil
to follow a circular or spiral course an inviting path for joggers curls around the reservoir

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 curl
Noun
Rather than every curl being coaxed into perfect uniformity, her natural texture is allowed to take up space—frizz, movement, and all. — Chloe Burcham, Vogue, 18 Aug. 2026 As with all the award-winning brand’s products, this trio is thoughtfully designed for curls, coils and tight textures. — Jackie Fields, PEOPLE, 14 Aug. 2026
Verb
Instead of lying flat, the hem curled and fell like waves around the body, creating a high-low effect. — Amina Ayoud, Footwear News, 16 Aug. 2026 Tara Rudd drove toward Angel City’s backline and threaded a pass through to Rodman, who raced downfield and curled a shot just over goalkeeper Angelina Anderson. — ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for curl
Recent Examples of Synonyms for curl
  1. wave
  2. coil
  3. lock
  4. wind
  5. ringlet
  6. curve
  7. frizz
  8. swirl
Noun
  • More than 22,000 Long Beach residents were temporarily without power Sunday night due to a Southern California Edison outage, all in the midst of a sweltering wave of heat.
    — Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Her series kick-started a wave of creators on both TikTok and Instagram centering their content on living life alone.
    — Amen Galinato, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of wave
Verb
  • This species spends most of its time coiled around tree branches more than 30 meters (100 feet) high, descending during the night to prey on birds, small mammals, frogs, and other reptiles on the forest floor.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 6 Aug. 2026
  • As management continues to prove themselves, multiples are coiled to go higher.
    — Josh Brown,Sean Russo, CNBC, 30 July 2026
Definition of coil
Noun
  • Many had seen Joveljic as a lock up front for Sporting, even after the club’s ongoing reconstruction.
    — Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The rest of the starting spots could still be up for grabs outside of Cox, who is the other lock.
    — CJ Moore, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of lock
Verb
  • For Fernández, now Miss Montana, the road to success has been winding.
    — Sarah Moreno, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Three Fall Must-Dos Cruise one of the most underrated fall drives in the US—the Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway, encompassing winding Needles Highway in Custer State Park and Iron Mountain Road, famous for its 300-plus hairpin turns.
    — Taryn Shorr-Mckee, Midwest Living, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of wind
Noun
  • As families poured into a converted West Side warehouse Saturday afternoon, Jacob Williams watched small ringlets of his hair tumble to the floor.
    — Lila Hempel-Edgers, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Layer thick, curly hair to enhance natural volume and add definition to your ringlets.
    — Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 17 July 2026
Definition of ringlet
Verb
  • But plenty of long-range computer models continue to show a future for the system, most as a tropical storm headed west toward the Caribbean, although plenty also show a potential track that curves north of Puerto Rico.
    — Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Several other curved, slender bones were soon found nearby, according to pictures shared with the station.
    — Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of curve
Noun
  • Shake it out, separate some of the curls and let a little frizz happen.
    — Chloe Burcham, Vogue, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The formula contains hyaluronic acid and works to hydrate the hair and scalp, and reduce frizz.
    — Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of frizz
Verb
  • Yet fighting for the spotlight could be the least of their problems, as questions swirled over how the Sussexes would actually pull off life in Britain.
    — Lauryn Overhultz , Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The What podcast, shared an update with fans amid swirling rumors that the beloved fest had been canceled.
    — Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of swirl

Phrases Containing curl

Browse Nearby Words

curiousness
curl
curled
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Cite this Entry

“Curl.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/curl. Accessed 29 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on curl

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about curl

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