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
Pay multiple people from the crafts site Etsy to perform tarot readings, lift any existing curses and otherwise engage in witchcraft. Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 4 Mar. 2026 Indeed, various curses and slurs could be heard shouted from the audience at London's Royal Festival Hall, even during some segments broadcast to audiences in England and abroad. Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Feb. 2026 The earliest depictions of slavery were already crawling with the terrible proceedings the Gothic tends to depict, from bloody whippings to family curses to the wrathful wraiths of the slain enslaved. Literary Hub, 20 Feb. 2026 Gamers will know Brok as the beloved weapons dealer with an unrivaled artistry for creative, foul-mouthed curses. Joe Otterson, Variety, 30 Jan. 2026 In Jujutsu Kaisen, heroic jujutsu sorcerers wage war against demonic creatures called curses and the curse users, who wield jujutsu powers for evil. Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 1 Jan. 2026 And as relief from one of the greatest curses imaginable – chronic pain – the neuro-key may offer pain modulation without the expense, side effects, and addiction risk of opioids and systemic drugs. New Atlas, 29 Dec. 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
Verb
Unclear if Instagram curses are transferrable. Clio Chang, Curbed, 18 Dec. 2025 The driver curses at those outside and inside the car. Jason Kravarik, CNN Money, 13 Nov. 2025 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
  • Sunni imams issued fatwas, legal condemnations by Islamic religious leaders, against us infidels.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 4 Mar. 2026
  • Think of Woodstock-era sung-and-spoken condemnations of the Vietnam War, the 1980s megaconcerts and charity singles inspired by famine in Ethiopia and apartheid in South Africa, and the Rock Against Bush compilations that challenged America’s invasion of Iraq.
    Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Kennedy could be heard hurling swears at the Swedish team.
    Andrew Greif, NBC news, 23 Feb. 2026
  • Under the watchful eye of sheriffs deputies who threatened to ticket anyone caught standing in the road, along with a small number of National Guard members, the protesters took turns screaming swears and warming up in nearby parked cars.
    Christopher Cann, USA Today, 28 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Although Iran has not made the closure official — the ban was announced by a Revolutionary Guard representative on national TV — its threats have proved to have teeth.
    Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2026
  • Both wars were based on lies about imminent threats from nuclear weapons to justify wars of choice.
    Trudy Rubin, Twin Cities, 6 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The content of this video was offensive and Burleson ISD strongly condemns it.
    Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Mar. 2026
  • Those idiots are the primary reason Trump is president, while Kamala Harris, who condemns the military success like most of her fellow Democratic politicos, can’t even get traction in peddling her sour-grapes-loser book.
    Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 3 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • While a fuel crisis plagues the people of Lagos, Nigeria, a young cab driver dreams of a better life.
    Jourdain Searles, HollywoodReporter, 2 Mar. 2026
  • Notably from a distribution standpoint, Double Vision’s sister production services business will assist with everything from music clearances – something that plagues many microdrama makers – and format bibles to localization services and local productions in key markets.
    Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 22 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • In that moment, Dupree involuntarily punches him and the pair go quiet as Dooley cusses and bends over wincing in pain.
    Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The latter is a nonstarter for William, who blames the Army, especially Captain Ezekiel Richardson, for Jane’s death.
    Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2026
  • For his plight, Corby blames a female co-worker who was hired three years after him but was regularly given better assignments.
    Eric Magnuson, The Atlantic, 2 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Video shows the women squeezing through the window and screaming obscenities at the people inside, while tossing food, beverages and packaging.
    Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 28 Feb. 2026
  • Parents should be prepared to turn the channel or cover their children’s eyes and ears so they are not exposed to these obscenities.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 22 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Curses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/curses. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.

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