cuss 1 of 2

Definition of cussnext

cuss

2 of 2

verb

as in to swear
to use offensive or indecent language the little girl clapped her hands over her ears when her brother started cussing

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
Noun
The film stays in the perspective of an unstoppable killer/monster named Johnny who frequently uses very sharp objects to prey on campers, rangers, hikers and a crotchety old cuss — all in acts of vengeance for the evil that has been perpetrated on him. Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 29 Jan. 2024 This California school board president has 2 DUIs and cusses. Emily Alpert Reyes, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2023
Verb
Many would consider cussing those law enforcement officers an act of rebellious patriotism. Tom Roland, Billboard, 5 Nov. 2025 Sometimes, Charles would cuss out Anfernee from the sidelines. Jay King, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cuss
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cuss
Noun
  • In the first story, a couple worry about how a possible family curse that began when an ancestor made a bargain to escape enslavement might affect their happy life.
    Emma Alpern, Vulture, 8 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
Verb
  • Some gardeners swear that a strong-scented bar of soap like Irish Spring will repel pests.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 11 Apr. 2026
  • If Rob Manfred were to wake up tomorrow morning and decide to do away with the seventh-inning stretch, untold amounts of swearing and freaking out would ensue, even though the origins of the practice are murky and the exercise itself is largely an empty signifier.
    Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 10 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • These are not lazy callbacks, but shared touchstones — part of a pop cultural language the film embedded into our collective consciousness, and that the show both celebrates and lovingly skewers.
    Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 13 Apr. 2026
  • The Oakland City Council did not author the actual language of the parcel tax initiative, which will appear as Measure E on the June ballot and is expected to generate $34 million annually.
    Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Ball ended up being fined $60,000 for his actions during the game ($35,000 for the foul, $25,000 for postgame profanity on TV) and assessed a flagrant foul.
    Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 16 Apr. 2026
  • He was fined $25,000 for using profanity in an on-court postgame interview.
    Steve Reed, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • To be sure, protesters have often engaged in hostile behavior, hurling expletives, getting in agents’ faces and occasionally becoming violent.
    A.C. Thompson, ProPublica, 14 Apr. 2026
  • The man pushed Littrell's phone away, and the two began filming each other and hurling expletives.
    Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Cuss.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cuss. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.

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