four-letter word

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

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
Noun
  • Based on Gege Akutami’s manga, the film follows Gojo Satoru and Geto Suguru, two sorcerers tasked with protecting Amanai Riko, a student chosen as the Star Plasma Vessel, while being pursued by curse users and a religious cult.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 20 Oct. 2025
  • The Machine is both an old idea and a modern curse.
    Cal Revely-Calder, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • At the Abundance movement’s largest-ever gathering, with its manifesto still on the best-seller lists, its biggest champions wrestled openly with its status as a dirty word in US politics.
    David Weigel, semafor.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Learn To Talk About Money Without Apologizing One of the biggest mistakes new professionals make is treating salary like a dirty word.
    Sho Dewan, Forbes.com, 27 July 2025
Noun
  • One of the most basic versions is a progressive relaxation technique, a countdown from 10 to 1 where Perri uses what are known as hypnotic language patterns.
    Rustin Dodd, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
  • The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
    Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Does Taylor Swift swear on 'The Life of a Showgirl'?
    Melina Khan, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Don’t pretend the cure for coarse speech is a swear jar.
    Eric Preven, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025

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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 Oct. 2025.

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