expletives

noun

plural of expletive
as in curses
a disrespectful or indecent word or expression unleashed a slew of expletives upon losing the tennis match

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 expletives Lewis Hamilton would have been justified in firing off a few expletives himself. — Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 20 July 2026 The team’s general manager backed up the claim that expletives were used. — Dan Zaksheske Outkick, FOXNews.com, 20 July 2026 As the proposal passed, the room erupted into chaos as attendees shouted expletives at MDC members and DC BLOX representatives. — Jordan Smith, IndyStar, 15 July 2026 The footage, published by the Idaho State Journal, shows that an exchange of expletives ensued. — Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026 In a section down the first-base line, a sea of shirtless fans chanted expletives at the Phillies but quieted a bit when Brandon Marsh tied the game with a two-run blast on a sweeper that caught too much plate. — Spencer Nusbaum, New York Times, 24 June 2026 Videos circulating on social media showed drones repeatedly striking the facility, sending large fireballs upward - and expletives tumbling out of many a Russian mouth. — Charles Maynes, NPR, 18 June 2026 The team has the power to do that, likely fueling his frustration and use of expletives. — Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 9 June 2026 Ohtani was frustrated with his command against Colorado despite winning his last start, dropping a few expletives that were picked up by the on-field mic. — CBS News, 3 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for expletives
  1. curses
  2. obscenities
  3. profanities
  4. epithets
Noun
  • Directed by Sébastien Vanicek (2023’s Infested), the follow-up to 2023 reboot Evil Dead Rise stars Wednesday‘s Hunter Doohan in a story about curses lingering too long in a family and the undead that haunts them.
    — Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 7 July 2026
  • Morgan and her Judgment Day cronies tried to bribe Danhausen to put curses on their opponents.
    — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 28 June 2026
Definition of curses
Noun
  • Relief pitcher Caleb Ferguson was not happy, shouting obscenities at the umpire and ripping him for his appearance.
    — Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 21 July 2026
  • An original call for service indicated that suspects pulled up to a CBS media vehicle and began shouting racial obscenities at a CBS cameraman who is Black, a law enforcement source said.
    — Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2026
Definition of obscenities
Noun
  • The couple’s relationship began with a friendship bracelet and a podcast shout-out in July 2023, and by September Swift was screaming profanities in support of her new favorite football player.
    — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 30 June 2026
  • Skubal was last seen yelling profanities at magic wander Mike Vasil but would nevertheless fit in well in the Sox clubhouse and give Sox fans reason to believe this team can do something in October.
    — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 28 June 2026
Definition of profanities
Noun
  • Social media has teemed with unsavory videos of Argentinean misbehavior in the stadiums, including fans hurling racial epithets at a Black American influencer and showering Egyptians with beer.
    — Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 16 July 2026
  • Mendelsohn also retains Homer’s repetitious epithets for characters that some modern translations—written for the silent reader of the 21st century—have slimmed down.
    — Chris Moody, The Atlantic, 16 July 2026
Definition of epithets

Browse Nearby Words

expletive
expletives
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Cite this Entry

“Expletives.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expletives. Accessed 25 Jul. 2026.

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