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
The expletives aired uncensored during the NBC live telecast and Peacock’s simulcast but were muted during the West Coast broadcast and in versions later posted online, including on YouTube, according to the New York Post.
—
Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 19 Oct. 2025
There will be plenty for both returning fans and those who are entering the ludus (gladiator school) for the first time, including the intrigue, battle scenes, deception and lots of Jupiter’s expletives, all of which made the original series a hit for Starz.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2025
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
Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 19 Oct. 2025
There will be plenty for both returning fans and those who are entering the ludus (gladiator school) for the first time, including the intrigue, battle scenes, deception and lots of Jupiter’s expletives, all of which made the original series a hit for Starz.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for expletives
Noun
-
The source of a zombie outbreak can come from anywhere, including ancient curses and meteorites from space.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
17 Oct. 2025
-
That mindset leads to no shortage of delightfully blasé supernatural adventures rife with magic and curses.—
Abby Monteil,
Them.,
15 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
In September, he’d been convicted of indecent exposure (and using obscenities) after allegedly exposing himself during a Miami concert.—
David Kushner,
Rolling Stone,
20 Oct. 2025
-
Those exceptions include true threats, defamation, harassment and obscenities.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
15 Oct. 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
-
According to research from Copyleaks, an AI analysis firm that helps businesses and institutions navigate the shifting landscape of this emergent technology, a new trend has produced Sora videos of celebrities appearing to spew hateful racist epithets.—
Miles Klee,
Rolling Stone,
23 Oct. 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 28 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share