darned 1 of 2

variants also durned
Definition of darnednext

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
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 That would be a ripe spot to declare that the AI isn’t of professional quality and make darned sure to remove any wording that suggests otherwise. Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for darned
Adjective
  • To have to come and be in this particular bracket every freaking year is unacceptable.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 24 Mar. 2026
  • Pair the fuzzy crewneck top and subtle kick-flare pants with chic platform sneakers or breathable, on-trend Mary Janes (this pair from Rothy’s is so freaking comfortable).
    Annie Blackman, InStyle, 21 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • McClanahan will honor his father, James, who passed away in January, with his JWM initials stitched into his glove.
    Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Apr. 2026
  • Textiles were everywhere at Frieze Los Angeles—spilling across walls, stitched into sculpture, and, in one case, reimagined as a vintage carpet bazaar tucked inside a standard-issue gallery booth at the Santa Monica Airport, the fair’s cavernous venue.
    Lauren Mechling, Architectural Digest, 1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • It was happily branded as a cursed object, and hidden among the porno tapes behind the beaded curtains at video stores across the country.
    David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 5 Apr. 2026
  • Ru awards it to the crew for having to watch the entirety of what must have been the most cursed puppet show since Being John Malkovich.
    Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 28 Mar. 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.
    Brett Kelman, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2026
  • The surgeon sutured the wounds but knew the arm would have to be amputated.
    Sarah El Deeb, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Levi’s is a pretty darn close match to Holmes’ wide-leg jeans.
    Madeline Merinuk, PEOPLE, 3 Apr. 2026
  • Just get the darn curler and invoke Hathor!
    Fiona Landers, New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Items repaired are spared from a landfill, and that's important.
    Nicole Comstock, CBS News, 6 Apr. 2026
  • Most of the town’s people work for the family in either the small cattle operation that remains, or in the company garage where tractors and trucks are repaired.
    Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The only way to pull out of an awful season-opening stretch is one at-bat, one pitch, one win at a time.
    Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
  • Still, outside of two games, the offense has been awful.
    Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • This is a terrible blow against reform and the Dems should be ashamed.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Here are five novels that have been tied to terrible crimes.
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Darned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/darned. Accessed 10 Apr. 2026.

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