curses 1 of 2

Definition of cursesnext
plural of curse

curses

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of curse
1
as in condemns
to ask a divine power to send harm or evil upon I curse the guy who had the idea of having annoying salespeople call up innocent people to sell them things they don't want

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
3
as in cusses
to use offensive or indecent language you'll have to put a quarter in the jar every time you curse

Synonyms & Similar Words

4

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 curses
Noun
With the launch of the Culling Game in the aftermath, 10 colonies from across Japan are transformed into dens of curses as part of a plot orchestrated by the most wicked sorcerer in history, Noritoshi Kamo. Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Nov. 2025 Up ahead, two men argued, their shouts and curses drowning out the hum of a helicopter that circled in the distance. Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025 The source of a zombie outbreak can come from anywhere, including ancient curses and meteorites from space. PC Magazine, 17 Oct. 2025 That mindset leads to no shortage of delightfully blasé supernatural adventures rife with magic and curses. Abby Monteil, Them., 15 Oct. 2025 The last of the old curses and the purest championship drought in the sport. Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025 Set for Vietnamese release in the fourth quarter of 2025, The Whispering Spirit is based on ancient myths about special days known as ‘Tam Nương’ that have curses placed on them. Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 19 Sep. 2025 As rocks and curses flew from the street, bullets spat from the middle window on the south side of the house. Neal Rubin, Freep.com, 6 Sep. 2025 Seth was given the job to create a list of curses and a list of clean words that Steve could shout. Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 25 Aug. 2025
Verb
In a beat of levity that carries new weight, Geralt quietly curses afterward. Jp Mangalindan, Time, 30 Oct. 2025 Liam Perino curses in front of his parents. Matthew Shen Goodman, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for curses
Noun
  • Few condemnations of such a public threat emerged, and despite an American veto on an assassination, Israel continued to ratchet up its aims to not just kill one national leader, but an entire government.
    Séamus Malekafzali, Washington Post, 8 Jan. 2026
  • The strikes prompted condemnations from Maduro supporters including Russia’s foreign ministry and Colombian President Gustavo Petro, who called for a United Nations Security Council meeting, while Trump allies including Argentina President Javier Milei celebrated the news.
    Bloomberg News, Boston Herald, 3 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, is now making ominous threats to Cuba.
    Ian Crouch, New Yorker, 7 Jan. 2026
  • Trump has issued direct threats against each regime, intensifying the pressure on Tehran and Caracas alike.
    Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 7 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • By contrast, Eugenia condemns herself to a future of festering tension and fury.
    Rachel Vorona Cote, The Atlantic, 5 Jan. 2026
  • The government condemns the reprehensible attack on innocent students and the killing of school officials who were carrying out their noble duty.
    Ashley Carnahan , Paul Tilsley, FOXNews.com, 18 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • So while so much of this matchup is strength versus strength, what might matter most is which team’s weakness plagues them the least.
    Daniel Popper, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026
  • Cinnamon has been widely touted as a cure-all for anything that plagues the garden.
    Paul Cappiello, Louisville Courier Journal, 12 Dec. 2025
Verb
  • Wildcat Mountain, New Hampshire In northern New Hampshire, Wildcat Mountain’s diehard following swears by its exciting terrain, stunning views of Mount Washington and the great White Mountain National Forest, and intimate, no-frills feel that makes winter-sport purists feel right at home.
    Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure, 8 Jan. 2026
  • An InStyle writer swears by the Hourglass Vanish Airbrush Concealer for brightening her dark under-eye circles and acne marks.
    Melony Forcier, InStyle, 7 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Her school blames a heartbreaking tragedy in her family.
    Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Nov. 2025
  • And in fact, somebody that Victor blames for the death of his beloved mother.
    Allison DeGrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • The hate group came to the city to wave swastika flags, scream obscenities and generally harass people downtown in July 2024.
    Evan Mealins, Nashville Tennessean, 11 Dec. 2025
  • The station later posted an explanation to listeners who were not only subjected to obscenities, but also missed a game between the Cowboys and their archrivals.
    Tom Tapp, Deadline, 26 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • The actresses play the delightful mother-daughter duo Angela and Ainsley — who are oftentimes the banes of Tommy's (Billy Bob Thornton) existence — in the Taylor Sheridan series.
    Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 28 Dec. 2025
  • But along with ready cash, the laissez-faire approach brought the banes of corruption, criminal infiltration, and rampant pollution.
    Charlie Campbell, Time, 15 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Curses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/curses. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on curses

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!