darn 1 of 3

Definition of darnnext

darn

2 of 3

verb

as in to stitch
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

darn

3 of 3

adjective

variants also durn

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 darn
Verb
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
Adjective
Gwath has shown flashes of his potential this year, but his progress was slowed coming off the injury — particularly because of that darn brace. Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Feb. 2026 In fairness, the guy did have a darn good season. Sports Columnist, San Francisco Chronicle, 11 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for darn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for darn
Noun
  • What is emerging instead is a stewardship model that treats vital ecosystems, like coral reefs, as dynamic systems requiring maintenance, repair, and adaptation, much like roads, damns, and power grids.
    Bill Frist, Forbes.com, 23 Feb. 2026
  • My parents have no idea what’s happening because legacy media is not reporting on anything worth a damn.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 19 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The da Vinci system’s ability to delicately peel and stitch fruit skin illustrated the fine motor control available to surgeons working on human tissue through minimally invasive incisions.
    Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
  • For the ensemble as a whole, Jewson said the goal was always for the team dynamic to feel genuinely earned — starting the film fractured and stitching itself together through shared survival.
    Kennedy French, Variety, 25 Mar. 2026
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
Noun
  • And Donnie was so into it and so prepared, and just a hoot.
    Rebecca Milzoff, Billboard, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Wiseman said to hoots from the crowd of media gathered at the site.
    Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The issue was surrounding his leg amputation surgery, a procedure that involves stretching the muscles and suturing them to provide the bone with padding.
    Jacob Louraine, Kansas City Star, 6 Mar. 2026
  • The surgeon sutured the wounds but knew the arm would have to be amputated.
    Sarah El Deeb, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • 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
  • The major hubs are bad in all the predictable ways, but America’s smaller airports are each cursed and tragic in their own exquisite style.
    Ellen Cushing, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The City of Fort Worth says the work is focused on repairing deteriorating concrete along a high-traffic corridor to improve safety and reliability.
    Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Mar. 2026
  • The question of whether to repair and keep City Hall or relocate out of the downtown building looms over these discussions.
    Devyani Chhetri, Dallas Morning News, 28 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • And furniture being cut from pine, molded, sewed, finished.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 Apr. 2026
  • That leads to longer build times as those complicated parts are sewn together with assemblages of other, smaller parts, before being shipped across the ocean, and eventually trucked to the final construction site.
    Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 2 Apr. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Darn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/darn. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on darn

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster