as in curse
a disrespectful or indecent word or expression
clapped her hands over the toddler's ears so he wouldn't hear the four-letter word
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of four-letter word
In an audio excerpt, an air traffic controller can be heard uttering a four-letter word.
—
Livia Albeck-Ripka, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2023
Their cackling machinations to keep their seats and punish opponents, all while insulting Black people, Oaxacans and others, made the very idea of Latino political power a four-letter word.
—Gustavo Arellanocolumnist, Los Angeles Times, 30 Dec. 2022
Mater Dei Catholic tennis coach Jose Oropeza says there is a four-letter word that is unacceptable on his team.
—Steve Brand, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Nov. 2022
If ever there was a time to let loose with a four-letter word, this was it.
—Monica Hesse, Washington Post, 14 Oct. 2022
See All Example Sentences for four-letter word
Livia Albeck-Ripka, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2023
Their cackling machinations to keep their seats and punish opponents, all while insulting Black people, Oaxacans and others, made the very idea of Latino political power a four-letter word.
—Gustavo Arellanocolumnist, Los Angeles Times, 30 Dec. 2022
Mater Dei Catholic tennis coach Jose Oropeza says there is a four-letter word that is unacceptable on his team.
—Steve Brand, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Nov. 2022
If ever there was a time to let loose with a four-letter word, this was it.
—Monica Hesse, Washington Post, 14 Oct. 2022
See All Example Sentences for four-letter word
Recent Examples of Synonyms for four-letter word
Noun
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The following list contains killer robots, talking cats, deadly curses and period crime dramas.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2025
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The 18-inch model leaves a cavernous space beneath the bed that can accommodate several tote-style storage containers—which could be a blessing or a curse depending on the usual state of your bedroom floor.—
Louryn Strampe,
Wired News,
15 May 2025
Noun
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Educate Your Customers The threat of disinformation isn’t a secret or a dirty word.—
Lauren Crystal,
Forbes.com,
9 May 2025
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In many parts of the country, NAFTA is still a dirty word.—
Tobias Burns,
The Hill,
3 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The more frequent the lucky language, the higher a casino ranked on the list.—
Brittany Anas,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2025
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Police did say what led to the altercation, but sources told TMZ that Saitta and his group had been repeatedly harassing Von and using threatening language.—
Jami Ganz,
New York Daily News,
15 May 2025
Noun
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The word was forbidden in their household and treated like a swear.—
Ariana Yaptangco,
Glamour,
22 Apr. 2025
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Is this the kind of situation where mild swears seem generally used?—
Stacey Colino,
Time,
1 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Four-letter word.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/four-letter%20word. Accessed 28 May. 2025.
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