as in curse
a disrespectful or indecent word or expression
unleashed a slew of expletives upon losing the tennis match
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of expletive
The Council then chose to override nearly half the mayor’s vetoes in a chaotic nine-hour budget session filled with infighting, tears and expletives.
—
Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 9 June 2025
The Geto Boys used expletives and a lot of bravado, but the core of their message is that a ‘gangsta’ is unafraid to be themselves, and confident in their experience.
—Angela Andaloro, People.com, 9 May 2025
Huerta arrived at a metal gate near the workplace in the late morning on Friday, according to a criminal complaint, which alleged Huerta shouted expletives and banged on the gate in an effort to intimidate federal agents.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 10 June 2025
Even the name, Mother, plays off the idea of duality—a nurturing figure, or the sting of an expletive.
—Caroline Griswold, Vogue, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for expletive
Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 9 June 2025
The Geto Boys used expletives and a lot of bravado, but the core of their message is that a ‘gangsta’ is unafraid to be themselves, and confident in their experience.
—Angela Andaloro, People.com, 9 May 2025
Huerta arrived at a metal gate near the workplace in the late morning on Friday, according to a criminal complaint, which alleged Huerta shouted expletives and banged on the gate in an effort to intimidate federal agents.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 10 June 2025
Even the name, Mother, plays off the idea of duality—a nurturing figure, or the sting of an expletive.
—Caroline Griswold, Vogue, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for expletive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for expletive
Noun
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Because perhaps heartbreak is not only a curse, but also a language.—
Anna Marie de la Fuente,
Variety,
20 June 2025
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His thought that autism is a curse that destroys families IS the tragedy.—
Laura Tillman,
Hartford Courant,
16 June 2025
Noun
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Bonus: For every 100ml bottle sold, Omorovicza donates 5% to Water.org, supporting global access to safe water. Jones Road Miracle Balm, $40 Women over 50 swear by this award-winning, Bobbi Brown-founded brand for its nourishing and hydrating qualities.—
Kristen Philipkoski,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
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The word was forbidden in their household and treated like a swear.—
Ariana Yaptangco,
Glamour,
22 Apr. 2025
Noun
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There were also issues among people who speak a language other than English.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
20 June 2025
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To invoke a cliche, the movie teaches you how to watch it, establishing a visual language early and hammering it often.—
Paul A. Thompson,
Pitchfork,
20 June 2025
Noun
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The city’s agreement with Clear Channel and Outfront Foster has similar terms, including several prohibitions such as no motion, no illumination between midnight and 6 a.m., and no violence, profanity, adult goods or services, or political and religious content.—
Devan Patel,
Mercury News,
18 June 2025
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But outside of some mature dialogue in some instances, there is no profanity or otherwise inappropriate language.—
Lynnette Nicholas,
Parents,
17 June 2025
Noun
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The racist epithets — including a swastika and N***** spray-painted onto the concrete walls surrounding the park — were reported to the Miami Police on Monday afternoon in what the community and police are calling a hate crime.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
3 June 2025
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Barnyard epithets did not pepper the prepared speeches of most of Hegseth's predecessors.—
Tom Vanden Brook,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2025
Noun
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As the Oxford English Dictionary notes, the expression not hardly is considered a vulgarism.—
NR Editors,
National Review,
16 Apr. 2020
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The British cringed over new American accents, coinages and vulgarisms.—
Time,
Time,
11 June 2019
Noun
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And, when the alarm wails hours before dawn, human cusses of angry protest join the chorus of budget appliances failing before their time.—
Virginia Konchan,
The New Yorker,
30 Sep. 2024
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My grandmother extended a ladder up into this tough old cuss of a tree and climbed up, at some risk, to pick the bulging fruit.—
Jim Meddleton,
The Christian Science Monitor,
1 May 2024
Cite this Entry
“Expletive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expletive. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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