as in curses
a disrespectful or indecent word or expression
unleashed a slew of expletives upon losing the tennis match
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Recent Examples of expletives
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
Trump used expletives to convey his disapproval of Israel’s plans, which threatened to upend negotiations with Iran.
—Kevin Liptak, CNN Money, 2 June 2026
And while no expletives were actually spoken during Thursday's episode, the fourth hour of Today has been host to several slip-ups from stars and co-hosts alike.
—Rachel McRady, PEOPLE, 28 May 2026
And the Panthers’ fourth-year quarterback let loose with a couple of expletives that grabbed everyone’s attention, including media members standing nearby.
—Joseph Person, New York Times, 27 May 2026
This car will induce whiplash in the unprepared and expletives from those who have been forewarned.
—Tim Stevens, ArsTechnica, 26 May 2026
The full-length rerecording—now shorn of expletives—celebrates the record’s 10th anniversary (with the unintended consequence of sparking a discourse about Toledo’s ostensible religious views).
—Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 22 May 2026
Videos of her confronting the woman and yelling expletives at gym staffers about the gymgoer’s genitalia went viral, landing her interviews with TMZ, Fox News and conservative podcaster Megyn Kelly.
—Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
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
Trump used expletives to convey his disapproval of Israel’s plans, which threatened to upend negotiations with Iran.
—Kevin Liptak, CNN Money, 2 June 2026
And while no expletives were actually spoken during Thursday's episode, the fourth hour of Today has been host to several slip-ups from stars and co-hosts alike.
—Rachel McRady, PEOPLE, 28 May 2026
And the Panthers’ fourth-year quarterback let loose with a couple of expletives that grabbed everyone’s attention, including media members standing nearby.
—Joseph Person, New York Times, 27 May 2026
This car will induce whiplash in the unprepared and expletives from those who have been forewarned.
—Tim Stevens, ArsTechnica, 26 May 2026
The full-length rerecording—now shorn of expletives—celebrates the record’s 10th anniversary (with the unintended consequence of sparking a discourse about Toledo’s ostensible religious views).
—Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 22 May 2026
Videos of her confronting the woman and yelling expletives at gym staffers about the gymgoer’s genitalia went viral, landing her interviews with TMZ, Fox News and conservative podcaster Megyn Kelly.
—Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for expletives
Noun
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Rather than a nod of respect, Spurs fans—myself now sheepishly included—are finding their favorite tees and caps drawing chirps, sneers, and curses.—
Joan Kennedy,
Vogue,
10 June 2026
-
Chants laced with curses echo through Madison Square Garden.—
Albert Samaha,
Washington Post,
3 June 2026
Noun
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People throwing cigarette butts against the house, yelling obscenities, playing derogatory music.—
Madeleine Wright,
CBS News,
8 June 2026
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While the council remained inside to finish the meeting, including approving a local emergency declaration, police were outside where a small mob gathered, yelling obscenities at the officers.—
Victoria Le,
Oc Register,
27 May 2026
Noun
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And profanities featured in roughly 10% of all clauses, used at a rate substantially higher than the same speakers would use while awake.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
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In the video, the man can be heard screaming profanities while holding a baseball bat outside the window before getting out of the car and approaching the couple.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
28 May 2026
Noun
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The Chawla said multiple campaign road signs were vandalized with racial epithets in two separate incidents.—
Carlos E. Castañeda,
CBS News,
18 May 2026
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His nanny was his fierce protector and insulated him from the depredations of Nazis and their enablers, baptizing him and teaching him to handily hurl anti-Jewish epithets to fit in.—
Ron Kampeas,
Sun Sentinel,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Expletives.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expletives. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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