four-letter word

noun

Definition of four-letter wordnext
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

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 four-letter word Never one to censor herself, Madonna's latest fashion statement can be summarized with a four-letter word. — Glenn Garner, Peoplemag, 12 Mar. 2023 What’s a four-letter word for funny, sweet, silly, huggable, wonderful, and mine? — Angela Belt, House Beautiful, 2 Mar. 2023 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 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 See All Example Sentences for four-letter word
Recent Examples of Synonyms for four-letter word
  1. curse
  2. dirty word
  3. language
  4. swear
Noun
  • This caveat could be a blessing and a curse, warned Sridhar Tayur, a professor of operations management at Carnegie Mellon University.
    — Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 19 July 2026
  • However, the one who came up with it happened to be the first baseman from the 2016 curse-breaking Cubs.
    — Matt Reigle OutKick, FOXNews.com, 18 July 2026
Definition of curse
Noun
  • Escrow has been a dirty word for NHL players and agents for years, as player salaries were docked to make NHL accounting work under terms of the CBA.
    — Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 13 July 2026
  • The Jewish people’s movement for self-determination in their biblical homeland — called Zionism — has become a dirty word on college campuses and in liberal political parties, and increasingly in some conservative ones.
    — Thomas L. Friedman, Mercury News, 16 June 2026
Definition of dirty word
Noun
  • Senators Lummis and Bernie Moreno (OH) met with White House officials to discuss the bill and explore potential ethics language.
    — Cleve Mesidor, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
  • The film boasts an A-list lineup for its English language voice cast, with stars including Ayo Edebiri, Bradley Cooper, Dave Bautista, Finn Wolfhard, Rachel House and Werner Herzog.
    — Alex Ritman, Variety, 20 July 2026
Definition of language
Noun
  • The pinky swear proved binding, as Nelson wrote the screenplay within six weeks.
    — William Earl, Variety, 15 July 2026
  • Why fill with swears a show that might otherwise have been appointment viewing for the whole family?
    — Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 31 May 2026
Definition of swear

Browse Nearby Words

four-in-hands
four-letter word
four-letter words
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Cite this Entry

“Four-letter word.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/four-letter%20word. Accessed 23 Jul. 2026.

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