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
  • In a video posted by TikTok user @livingmyloylife, which was later stitched by the official Carnival Cruise account, an orange rescue boat is seen bobbing through choppy waters to meet the sailboat.
    Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 17 Apr. 2026
  • Initials, stitched small and neat in red or blue, kept the peace.
    Jennifer Noyes, Air Mail, 11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • In the nearly 50 years since it was released, Faces of Death has become something of a cursed object, the kind of movie that gets traded around on old VHS tapes and spoken about in hushed tones on playgrounds and in video stores.
    Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 10 Apr. 2026
  • Daniel Bernhardt is Deathstalker, a legendary swordsman stuck with a cursed amulet who befriends swamp monsters and teams with a mini wizard (voiced by Patton Oswalt) to stop a dark magic from ruling the land.
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 10 Apr. 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
  • Most of all, Gates proclaimed time and time again just how darn special Huntington Beach is.
    Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
  • And the cruel reality is that Sieler is on the wrong side of 30 and the Dolphins are undergoing a rebuild, which means Sieler needs to have a darn good season to extend his Miami career.
    Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 7 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Roads still need to be repaired.
    Denise Horland, Sun Sentinel, 20 Apr. 2026
  • In 2012, the first medication was approved, which repaired the protein mutation for about 5% of CF patients.
    Courtney Crowder, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • But in the same vein as the Jets, that guy doesn't exist at the top of the board and the Cardinals also desperately need to improve on their awful pass rush (tied for third-fewest sacks in the NFL).
    Dan Zaksheske, FOXNews.com, 21 Apr. 2026
  • Bullying is this awful ostracization of people who don’t deserve it.
    Mac Engel April 20, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Not terrible, but far from correct.
    Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2026
  • Matt wasn't so sure, pointing to his record of selling drugs and trafficking weapons, but Foggy argued in favor of giving even someone who has done terrible things a second chance.
    Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Darned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/darned. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.

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