as in curse
a disrespectful or indecent word or expression
a man who has never uttered a single cuss
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 cuss
Graham Swift, The New Yorker, 14 Nov. 2022
How many f**king cuss words are in these sh**ty video games, anyway?
—Seriously Science, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2014
Amanda Kavanagh | This Column Was Created By Jobbio, The Hill, 28 Mar. 2025
Dottie, who yet lives, and who cussed out Earl at his own funeral, drunk and angry, both for his dying and for that man’s outstanding meanness, should never be confused with Dollie, Ganny’s friend who, like Ganny, will never breathe another breath.
—Joseph Earl Thomas, Harper's Magazine, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cuss
Noun
Betty Sykes didn’t give a cuss what came out of her mouth—and much of it was cusses—or who listened.
—Graham Swift, The New Yorker, 14 Nov. 2022
How many f**king cuss words are in these sh**ty video games, anyway?
—Seriously Science, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2014
Verb
One in four Americans have considered quitting their job to get away from their boss, and again, one in four say their boss has cussed out people in the workplace.
—Amanda Kavanagh | This Column Was Created By Jobbio, The Hill, 28 Mar. 2025
Dottie, who yet lives, and who cussed out Earl at his own funeral, drunk and angry, both for his dying and for that man’s outstanding meanness, should never be confused with Dollie, Ganny’s friend who, like Ganny, will never breathe another breath.
—Joseph Earl Thomas, Harper's Magazine, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cuss
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cuss
Noun
-
Because perhaps heartbreak is not only a curse, but also a language.—
Anna Marie de la Fuente,
Variety,
20 June 2025
-
His thought that autism is a curse that destroys families IS the tragedy.—
Laura Tillman,
Hartford Courant,
16 June 2025
Verb
-
Of course, some people swear by foot baths or sprays as a guard against magnesium deficiency.—
Maria Berentzen,
Vogue,
30 June 2025
-
And all of them have sworn off real news, across the dial.—
Howie Carr,
Boston Herald,
28 June 2025
Noun
-
The removal of the language in the final Senate bill is a welcome relief, confirming that entity type should not dictate whether state and local taxes are deductible.—
Lynn Mucenski Keck,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
-
Prevost, who was co-valedictorian and yearbook editor among other accolades, had a reputation for being a good person to turn to for help with homework, especially math or languages.—
Belinda Luscombe,
Time,
1 July 2025
Noun
-
The city’s agreement with Clear Channel and Outfront Foster has similar terms, including several prohibitions such as no motion, no illumination between midnight and 6 a.m., and no violence, profanity, adult goods or services, or political and religious content.—
Devan Patel,
Mercury News,
18 June 2025
-
But outside of some mature dialogue in some instances, there is no profanity or otherwise inappropriate language.—
Lynnette Nicholas,
Parents,
17 June 2025
Noun
-
Trump’s frustration was palpable, using an expletive to hammer home his point.—
Sam Mednick,
Chicago Tribune,
24 June 2025
-
President Trump used the f-word expletive while discussing the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran.—
Kinsey Crowley,
USA Today,
24 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cuss.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cuss. Accessed 6 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share