four-letter words

Definition of four-letter wordsnext
plural of four-letter word
as in curses
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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for four-letter words
Noun
  • The earliest depictions of slavery were already crawling with the terrible proceedings the Gothic tends to depict, from bloody whippings to family curses to the wrathful wraiths of the slain enslaved.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Feb. 2026
  • Gamers will know Brok as the beloved weapons dealer with an unrivaled artistry for creative, foul-mouthed curses.
    Joe Otterson, Variety, 30 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The jobs in question include teachers of foreign languages, such as French, Mandarin and Spanish, elementary physical education, social studies, English and language arts.
    Kyle Martin, Mercury News, 17 Feb. 2026
  • Like many young women of her generation, Lady Anne was educated at home by a governess and reportedly excelled at music and languages.
    Stephanie Bridger-Linning, Vanity Fair, 17 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Under the watchful eye of sheriffs deputies who threatened to ticket anyone caught standing in the road, along with a small number of National Guard members, the protesters took turns screaming swears and warming up in nearby parked cars.
    Christopher Cann, USA Today, 28 Jan. 2026
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.

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Cite this Entry

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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