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
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Recent Examples of dirty word
There are a lot of people who see efficiency in agriculture as kind of a dirty word but efficiency saves resources.
—
Miami Herald, 10 July 2025
Laura Washington: Donald Trump achieves a notorious distinction in his first 100 days
DEI is under attack by Trump, who sees diversity as a dirty word, even a crime.
—Laura Washington, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2025
Compromise is not a dirty word.
—CBS News, 9 Mar. 2025
In many parts of the country, NAFTA is still a dirty word.
—Tobias Burns, The Hill, 3 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dirty word
Miami Herald, 10 July 2025
Laura Washington: Donald Trump achieves a notorious distinction in his first 100 days
DEI is under attack by Trump, who sees diversity as a dirty word, even a crime.
—Laura Washington, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2025
Compromise is not a dirty word.
—CBS News, 9 Mar. 2025
In many parts of the country, NAFTA is still a dirty word.
—Tobias Burns, The Hill, 3 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dirty word
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dirty word
Noun
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The last of the old curses and the purest championship drought in the sport.—
Grant Brisbee,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
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After its patriarch’s mysterious death, the pharma family falls prey to an ancient curse.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Don’t pretend the cure for coarse speech is a swear jar.—
Eric Preven,
Oc Register,
19 Sep. 2025
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Taylor and Hinkle swear by bonnets, while Royal and others recommend tying longer styles into a loose bun or braid before wrapping.—
Larry Stansbury,
Essence,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Green’s order gave Republican Secretary of State Denny Hoskins seven days to rewrite the language of the ballot measure and the language that will be at polling places.—
Matthew Kelly,
Kansas City Star,
24 Sep. 2025
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The book collects his writing, social media posts, and blogging in one English-language volume.—
James Folta,
Literary Hub,
24 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dirty word.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dirty%20word. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.
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