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
All visitors who paid for entry were told that only kind words would be tolerated, and any hurtful words or curses would result in immediate expulsion from the tent. Literary Hub, 20 May 2026 Baseball has always been a sport that believes in the occult — in juju and curses and superstitions. Tim Rohan, NBC news, 3 May 2026 Tens of millions of downloads deep, among discussions regarding ongoing bear curses and the quiet art of being a decent person, Drew Barrymore has asked about boogers and Jane Fonda has asked about hope. Brittany Delay, Mercury News, 17 Apr. 2026 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 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
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
  • The daytime raid, conducted about 250 nautical miles from Gaza, drew sharp condemnations from Hamas and Turkey, which accused Israel of piracy and collective punishment of civilians.
    Suzan Fraser, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2026
  • In addition to condemnations of oil and gas companies, the war has reignited calls for more hardline windfall taxes on fossil fuel firms.
    Tristan Bove, Fortune, 28 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The event finds more than 20,000 people participating in an annual bar crawl throughout the city while dressed in their best holiday attire, tackiest Santa Claus costumes, and ugliest Christmas swears.
    Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 15 Apr. 2026
  • Kennedy could be heard hurling swears at the Swedish team.
    Andrew Greif, NBC news, 23 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Autonomous task forces of drones could be assigned to defend against specific threats — Russian subs sneaking into the Atlantic Ocean, say, or a possible amphibious landing on Taiwan.
    Editorial, Boston Herald, 30 May 2026
  • What’s more, Rick can’t get through to Danny, because the pop star’s brash and aggressive manager (Jack Reynor) refuses to put Rick through, and responds to his claims with threats.
    Richard Brody, New Yorker, 29 May 2026
Verb
  • Victim's mother condemns domestic violence In a statement, Beaver's mother, Susan Beaver, said domestic violence affects too many families.
    JT Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026
  • Olson went on to say that the Holy Father, like his predecessors, consistently condemns acts of terrorism, including those sanctioned by Iran and its surrogates in the Middle East.
    Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • That is the perfect representation of the fatigue that plagues my life.
    Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 23 May 2026
  • And as a fight over the reauthorization of a key national security surveillance law plagues the lower chamber, moving forward with the DHS funding hasn't appeared to be a top priority.
    Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 21 Apr. 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
  • Faye, disappointed to see that the safe has no money, blames Rue for the deception and screams to wake her boyfriend.
    Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026
  • The hotel association partly blames FIFA for the slowdown, saying the organization overbooked blocks of hotel rooms that did not reflect true demand.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2026
Noun
  • Richard howled obscenities at three officers who were talking to him through the locked door.
    Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 27 Apr. 2026
  • After being placed in a government vehicle, Ferreira Borges allegedly kicked, flailed, and screamed obscenities at officers, officials said.
    Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 17 Apr. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Curses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/curses. Accessed 31 May. 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