1
2
as in curved
marked by a long series of irregular curves
a curled and complicated route through a series of caves
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in coiled
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 curled
Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Jan. 2026
The curled ends, which add extra dimension, are a particularly amazing touch.
—Audrey Noble, InStyle, 13 Jan. 2026
Styled by hairstylist Nikki Nelms, the actress’s curled crop cut was shaped with a SheaMoisture styling gel and smoothing oil which kept her curls healthy and in place.
—Essence, 12 Jan. 2026
Hairstylist Adir Abergel used Virtue Labs to perfect her curled shoulder-length style.
—Michelle Lee, PEOPLE, 12 Jan. 2026
In Place Some butterfly species can overwinter in place as adults or larvae, nestling between tree bark, under rocks, in seed pods, among curled leaves and leaf litter, or under the soil.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 7 Jan. 2026
For a super-flavorful addition to sandwiches or salads, try curled cress.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 Dec. 2025
Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 1 Feb. 2026
Inside The Lot at Formosa, Young’s hair, once a mullet with stark blond streaks, was now colored black and curled in coils down her back.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 30 Jan. 2026
The two of them sit curled against each other in an arm chair.
—Meg Anderson, NPR, 22 Jan. 2026
Dent curled around a down screen and drove for a floater.
—Aaron Heisen, Daily News, 21 Jan. 2026
Hilton styled her blonde hair in a romantic updo with a middle part and face-framing tendrils that curled away from her face.
—Lara Walsh, InStyle, 21 Jan. 2026
Dorothy lies curled on the gray velvet chaise like a kitten.
—Danielle Parker, CBS News, 20 Jan. 2026
Mobley curled around in the backcourt to take the inbounds pass and dribbled his way into an open three-pointer that pushed the Buckeyes into a 42-36 lead.
—Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2026
Brontë shared a video on her Instagram of her daughter Zelly, who was curled on the couch chowing down on a frozen bag of breast milk.
—Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 13 Jan. 2026
Adjective
Senior Sebastian Valencia scored goals on a header on a cross by junior Mason Sanders and another on a curled solo shot from distance.
—Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Jan. 2026
The curled ends, which add extra dimension, are a particularly amazing touch.
—Audrey Noble, InStyle, 13 Jan. 2026
Styled by hairstylist Nikki Nelms, the actress’s curled crop cut was shaped with a SheaMoisture styling gel and smoothing oil which kept her curls healthy and in place.
—Essence, 12 Jan. 2026
Hairstylist Adir Abergel used Virtue Labs to perfect her curled shoulder-length style.
—Michelle Lee, PEOPLE, 12 Jan. 2026
In Place Some butterfly species can overwinter in place as adults or larvae, nestling between tree bark, under rocks, in seed pods, among curled leaves and leaf litter, or under the soil.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 7 Jan. 2026
For a super-flavorful addition to sandwiches or salads, try curled cress.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 Dec. 2025
Verb
Chopped with face-framing curtain bangs and curled into small (almost Shirley Temple-sized) ringlets, the singer’s hair is clearly a reference to her look from the song’s energetic music video.
—Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 1 Feb. 2026
Inside The Lot at Formosa, Young’s hair, once a mullet with stark blond streaks, was now colored black and curled in coils down her back.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 30 Jan. 2026
The two of them sit curled against each other in an arm chair.
—Meg Anderson, NPR, 22 Jan. 2026
Dent curled around a down screen and drove for a floater.
—Aaron Heisen, Daily News, 21 Jan. 2026
Hilton styled her blonde hair in a romantic updo with a middle part and face-framing tendrils that curled away from her face.
—Lara Walsh, InStyle, 21 Jan. 2026
Dorothy lies curled on the gray velvet chaise like a kitten.
—Danielle Parker, CBS News, 20 Jan. 2026
Mobley curled around in the backcourt to take the inbounds pass and dribbled his way into an open three-pointer that pushed the Buckeyes into a 42-36 lead.
—Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2026
Brontë shared a video on her Instagram of her daughter Zelly, who was curled on the couch chowing down on a frozen bag of breast milk.
—Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 13 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for curled
Adjective
-
The queen of maximalist beauty also once again demonstrated her expertise in the makeup and hair space by playing with her copper-red locks, debuting curly bangs and mermaid braids among her soft waves.—
Pamela Vázquez,
Glamour,
2 Feb. 2026
-
That year, a mummy portrait of a young man with curly hair sold for $936,000, more than triple its high estimate.—
Jacqui Palumbo,
CNN Money,
31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Play with the traditional French manicure and swap the curved tip for a heart shape.—
Kara Jillian Brown,
InStyle,
31 Jan. 2026
-
It’s filled with curved desks arranged in rows, each equipped with multiple computer monitors.—
Isaac Stanley-Becker,
The Atlantic,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The lights, neatly coiled last January, have evolved into a glowing knot of holiday resentment.—
Mark Glende,
Twin Cities,
24 Dec. 2025
-
Enormous ventilation pipes were coiled like snakes on the roof of the building.—
Ingfei Chen,
New Yorker,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
This super cute manicure features red, coral, and pink wavy stripes going down the middle of each nail like a winding road, while little white hearts and dots dance down the line.—
Kara Jillian Brown,
InStyle,
31 Jan. 2026
-
It’s designed with a round neck and a pleated, wavy texture that gives it an elevated look, perfect for dressier itineraries.—
Jasmine Gomez,
Travel + Leisure,
31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
For the most part, Raimi is here to have sick, progressively more twisted fun.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Meanwhile, Rihanna was the most famous beauty spotted, attending Christian Dior in side tendrils and a twisted bun.—
Essence,
Essence,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Chicago capped a winding season of exclamation-point football with its wild-card comeback against the archrival Green Bay Packers.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
18 Jan. 2026
-
Old Town Albuquerque With its narrow, winding streets and adobe architecture, Old Town Albuquerque oozes small-town charm.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Here’s how Najash taught herpetologists that serpentine body plans didn’t evolve in a straight line, from lizard to legless.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
17 Jan. 2026
-
Hathaway also styled her hair with bold side bangs while modeling the serpentine gold jewelry.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
12 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Curled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/curled. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
