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
There are still deliveries of hate mail from conservative neighbors who disapprove of their lifestyle, and occasional drive-bys punctuated with curses yelled from car windows, but they’ve largely been accepted by the community. Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2026 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 Every one of his eight arms is shouting curses at every other, at itself, and at the brain inside his head. Mandy-Suzanne Wong, Longreads, 5 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
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
  • In the days and weeks following the Hamas massacre of innocent Israelis on October 7, 2023, students and colleagues alike in his academic community posted fiery condemnations of and expressions of moral disgust toward … Israel.
    Jesse Brown, The Atlantic, 24 Mar. 2026
  • Sunni imams issued fatwas, legal condemnations by Islamic religious leaders, against us infidels.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 4 Mar. 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
  • Court records show a trail of threats preceded Tiffany Woods’ death.
    Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 18 Apr. 2026
  • But internal threats to the show are one thing, and Lorne Michaels is flawed and complicated in ways that not even some of his long-time collaborators will ever see for themselves.
    David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 17 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Yamal condemns anti-Muslim chants Spain signed off for the World Cup on Tuesday with a 0-0 draw against Egypt.
    Phil Hay, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Pappas’ report, released Monday morning, condemns political leaders — many of them Democrats like herself — for exploiting loopholes in a state law designed to limit real estate tax increases.
    Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Still, a key downside risk for all three companies is the uncertainty that plagues the future of energy markets, according to Goldman.
    Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 24 Mar. 2026
  • Shifting to the execution phase By securing graphite early, the company aims to mitigate supply chain volatility that often plagues advanced nuclear projects.
    Munis Raza, Interesting Engineering, 10 Mar. 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
  • Who one blames depends on their politics.
    Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026
  • Partly, Tokischa blames management woes.
    Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 17 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Documents state that Ebert returned a few days later to William Yates' house to yell obscenities at his wife and a friend who were sitting outside.
    Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026
  • Yates family members said Ebert drove up honking his horn and yelling obscenities, during which surveillance footage shows William backed into the driveway to avoid getting hit, throwing a rock at Ebert’s car.
    Glenn Garner, Deadline, 2 Apr. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Curses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/curses. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on curses

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster