darned 1 of 2

variants also durned

darned

2 of 2

verb

past tense of darn
as in stitched
to close up with a series of interlacing stitches in the old days, holes in socks had to be darned by hand

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 darned
Adjective
Heck, as recently as 2023 Cinderella took over the whole darned Final Four, with the Miami Hurricanes, FAU and San Diego State barging in. Greg Cote updated March 23, Miami Herald, 23 Mar. 2026 The first revelation was apparently fine, but her mom blamed those darned permissive Jesuits at Holy Cross for the second. Neal Rubin, Freep.com, 13 Dec. 2025 Within days, the magic of agricultural alchemy will turn it all into the best darned fertilizer since God invented the chicken. Paul Cappiello, Louisville Courier Journal, 12 Dec. 2025 Let’s cruise another groomer and try to remember how to make a gosh darned turn. Frederick Dreier, Outside, 2 Dec. 2025 An allied assertion is that if AI generates foul code, tell the AI to get its act together and fix the darned stuff. Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025 America’s sweetheart doesn’t need any more good press from anyone—I’d bet my fortune that she could be elected Queen of Tennessee, Constitution-be-darned, if elections were held today. Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 July 2025
Verb
Others proclaim that we should be darned happy that AI seems to work. Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026 Much is made of the iconography of the character of Mary Poppins — one of cinema's most famous, hyperbole be darned — but perhaps not enough is owed to how Julie Andrews, on the cusp of 30, simultaneously brought green charisma and decades of wisdom to the magical, practical nanny. Darren Franich, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Mar. 2026 If only that darned Joseph Stalin hadn’t come along. Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026 More holes had been worn through the holes that had been darned. Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2025 The Triumph was, and still is, honest, authentic, and darned-near bulletproof. Robert Ross, Robb Report, 29 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for darned
Adjective
  • There’s gonna be some comedy at the beginning and then there’s gonna be freaking reggaeton!
    Suzy Exposito, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026
  • That itself should be a freaking movie.
    Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 27 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • On Thursday, June 5, Johnson, 54, stitched her video on social media—while wearing his long locks in character as Maui for the live-action Moana movie.
    Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 5 June 2026
  • Branding is subtle with a tonal logo stitched onto the left side, keeping this accessory neutral and easy to match.
    Cassie Gill, Travel + Leisure, 1 June 2026
Adjective
  • There’s a fine line between lucky and cursed, however, and Pulisic is straddling it.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2026
  • The penalty shootout is a cursed affliction when the roulette wheel fails you, and that was Arsenal’s fate here.
    Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 31 May 2026
Verb
  • The nerves can be sutured back together to minimize pain, Bank said, but most breast surgeons haven’t been trained to do this.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 11 Apr. 2026
  • The nerves can be sutured back together to minimize pain, Bank said, but most breast surgeons haven’t been trained to do this.
    Brett Kelman, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Kristal was the great love of his life (and a darn good con woman).
    Oline H. Cogdill, Sun Sentinel, 28 Apr. 2026
  • Most of all, Gates proclaimed time and time again just how darn special Huntington Beach is.
    Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Until their vehicle is inspected and repaired, owners should park outside and away from structures.
    Melina Khan, USA Today, 9 June 2026
  • Two escalators at the Pavilions, broken when the mall changed hands, are also being repaired.
    Thomas Gounley, Denver Post, 9 June 2026
Adjective
  • There's an awful lot of this nation's history packed into one three-block area in Philadelphia.
    USA TODAY Network, USA Today, 10 June 2026
  • Speaking of paperwork, there’s an awful lot of it in this episode.
    Erin Qualey, Vulture, 10 June 2026
Adjective
  • In 2012, a powerful quake visited terrible damage on the city of Modena, Bottura’s home and host to his restaurant.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 June 2026
  • The letter writer’s cousin has cancer, and the chemo gives her terrible side effects.
    Eric Thomas, Sun Sentinel, 11 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Darned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/darned. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.

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