dirty word

noun

Definition of dirty wordnext
as in curse
a disrespectful or indecent word or expression I'm afraid I won't be much help on the trip—the only Spanish I know is a handful of dirty words

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 dirty word Nuclear was once a dirty word, but its rehabilitation has proceeded much faster than expected. — Rachel Marsden, Hartford Courant, 5 June 2026 Today, unfortunately, civics has become a dirty word. — Ken Burns, Rolling Stone, 19 May 2026 Prohibition has been a dirty word in American public policy since the Twenty-First Amendment passed. — Charles Fain Lehman, The Atlantic, 4 May 2026 In an era when disco was still a dirty word, the foursome fully embraced dance music. — Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 3 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for dirty word
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dirty word
  1. curse
  2. swear
  3. language
Noun
  • The generational curse in question involves the men who fall in love with the Owens women, who are destined to die untimely deaths.
    — Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Sep. 2026
  • When their family's love curse pops up again, the siblings work with their aunts (Stockard Channing and Dianne Wiest) and Sally's kids (Joey King and Maisie Williams) to break it once and for all.
    — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of curse
Noun
  • The pinky swear proved binding, as Nelson wrote the screenplay within six weeks.
    — William Earl, Variety, 15 July 2026
  • Why fill with swears a show that might otherwise have been appointment viewing for the whole family?
    — Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 31 May 2026
Definition of swear
Noun
  • Although there are plenty of books in three languages (Arabic, French, and English), there are also museums, a planetarium, and a lab dedicated to restoring and preserving ancient manuscripts.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Emily Elconin / Bloomberg via Getty Images The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division has for decades sent election monitors to polling sites to protect voters from discrimination based on race, disability or language.
    — Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of language

Browse Nearby Words

dirty tricks
dirty word
dirty words
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Cite this Entry

“Dirty word.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dirty%20word. Accessed 14 Sep. 2026.

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