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
  • Chat had taught her about Japanese fashion and about the creativity that could come from expressing your personality through your clothes, but Zi usually put on the same sweater—navy, with hearts stitched into it.
    Jessica Contrera, New Yorker, 13 July 2026
  • The suede loafers sit on a minimalist rubber outsole and are hand-stitched with a leather lining and insole.
    Tim Chan, Footwear News, 13 July 2026
Adjective
  • The two answer a royal summons to investigate a cursed palace whose secrets even the King cannot speak of openly.
    Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
  • For years, a static skeletal figure sat atop a cursed pile of gold, but now, his story is coming to life thanks to the latest in Audio-Animatronic technology.
    Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 26 June 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
  • Each of the ramps being repaired along the route will be closed for three consecutive nights.
    Noah Daly July 10, Idaho Statesman, 10 July 2026
  • Trust is repaired through consistency, not perfection, Aquarius.
    Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 9 July 2026
Adjective
  • One year Pippa Middleton faced the awful shame of having to sit in a normal seat after showing up late.
    Nick Miller, New York Times, 4 July 2026
  • Sugar is at the forensic lab with the corpse of a man who looks an awful lot like Ji Moon but isn’t Ji Moon (courtesy of Shea Whigham as Tom Flybjerg).
    Andy Andersen, Vulture, 27 June 2026
Adjective
  • To sit still now would send a terrible message to a clubhouse full of pros, all of whom know the score.
    Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 July 2026
  • Spieth decided the ball sitting on a steep slope and potentially on a terrible lie wasn’t playable.
    Brody Miller, New York Times, 14 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Darned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/darned. Accessed 17 Jul. 2026.

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