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
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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
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
Noun
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For Ukraine, the war has been a curse – a curse to survive and adapt long enough to spare Europe’s borders from Russia’s forces and absolve its allies from springing into greater action.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
24 Feb. 2026
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Indeed, various curses and slurs could be heard shouted from the audience at London's Royal Festival Hall, even during some segments broadcast to audiences in England and abroad.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Too many in the media see conservatism as a dirty word.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
23 Feb. 2026
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It’s viewed by Hollywood artists as a dirty word.—
Mike Fleming Jr,
Deadline,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
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His critics might say such language is a disgrace to the presidency.—
Cal Thomas,
Arkansas Online,
24 Feb. 2026
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Speaking with Spanish language sports publication Diario Deportivo Diez the day after the Honduran club football’s worst defeat in CONCACAF, Bubara lauded LAFC for the 6-1 destruction.—
Josh Gross,
Daily News,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Kennedy could be heard hurling swears at the Swedish team.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
23 Feb. 2026
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And Boring would be that much closer to its 90,000-rider pinkie-swear.—
Pat Beall,
Sun Sentinel,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Four-letter word.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/four-letter%20word. Accessed 1 Mar. 2026.
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