as in curses
a disrespectful or indecent word or expression
unleashed a slew of expletives upon losing the tennis match
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
His partner, Shane Lowry, was also spewing expletives back at fans commenting on his weight, while standing up for McIlroy, one of his best friends, as well.
—
Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2025
The difference between an explicit and clean version of a song is that the former contains expletives or vulgarities, while the latter does not.
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
The tensions rose enough that McIlroy and playing partner Shane Lowry eventually returned the expletives right back.
—Brody Miller, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Actress and comedian Heather McMahan, who hosted the first tee at Bethpage Black Golf Course on Long Island, New York, was heard on videos posted to social media chanting expletives against golfer Rory McIlroy.
—Chandelis Duster, NPR, 28 Sep. 2025
Most of the messages were filled with expletives.
—Hope Karnopp, jsonline.com, 25 Sep. 2025
The great thing about the Dove partnership is that Lynch is able to be himself and show off that trademark humor -- with a lot of expletives -- in the social media teasers for the fragrance.
—Dj Siddiqi, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
This certainly isn’t the first time there’s been an on-air flub with expletives.
—Rachel McRady, PEOPLE, 16 Sep. 2025
Bears coach Ben Johnson is probably happy to get out of Detroit, where he was serenaded with a chorus of boos and expletives throughout his team's loss.
—Christian Romo, Freep.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2025
The difference between an explicit and clean version of a song is that the former contains expletives or vulgarities, while the latter does not.
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
The tensions rose enough that McIlroy and playing partner Shane Lowry eventually returned the expletives right back.
—Brody Miller, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Actress and comedian Heather McMahan, who hosted the first tee at Bethpage Black Golf Course on Long Island, New York, was heard on videos posted to social media chanting expletives against golfer Rory McIlroy.
—Chandelis Duster, NPR, 28 Sep. 2025
Most of the messages were filled with expletives.
—Hope Karnopp, jsonline.com, 25 Sep. 2025
The great thing about the Dove partnership is that Lynch is able to be himself and show off that trademark humor -- with a lot of expletives -- in the social media teasers for the fragrance.
—Dj Siddiqi, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
This certainly isn’t the first time there’s been an on-air flub with expletives.
—Rachel McRady, PEOPLE, 16 Sep. 2025
Bears coach Ben Johnson is probably happy to get out of Detroit, where he was serenaded with a chorus of boos and expletives throughout his team's loss.
—Christian Romo, Freep.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for expletives
Noun
-
The last of the old curses and the purest championship drought in the sport.—
Grant Brisbee,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
-
Set for Vietnamese release in the fourth quarter of 2025, The Whispering Spirit is based on ancient myths about special days known as ‘Tam Nương’ that have curses placed on them.—
Liz Shackleton,
Deadline,
19 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
On Saturday, McIlroy repeatedly had to step away from his golf ball as spectators shouted obscenities and personal insults at the Irishman.—
Jenna West,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
-
In addition to taking the guinea pigs, the perpetrators wrote obscenities and a racial slur on a whiteboard.—
Alexandra Hardle,
AZCentral.com,
27 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
According to a 2020 study in the International Journal of Scientific & Technology Research, the number of profanities in songs on the Billboard Top 100 charts rose from less than 200 per year in 2009 to more than 700 per year in 2018.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
-
The Ada County Highway District said in a news release that in addition to profanities and inappropriate gestures, road-work crews have been subject to more dangerous driving behavior, including aggressive actions that have led to more police response — and even to criminal charges.—
Shannon Tyler,
Idaho Statesman,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Use chapter titles or epithets to set up what’s coming.—
JD Barker,
Rolling Stone,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Then there was the woman who was Speaker of the House and would walk around talking to herself, screaming out epithets to imaginary people.—
Larry David,
New Yorker,
28 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Expletives.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expletives. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share