swear 1 of 2

Definition of swearnext
1
as in to curse
to use offensive or indecent language no one is allowed to swear in this house

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
3
as in to testify
to make a solemn declaration under oath for the purpose of establishing a fact the sworn statement of the witness was presented as evidence

Synonyms & Similar Words

swear

2 of 2

noun

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 swear
Verb
The newest member of Congress, Christian Menefee, was sworn into office this week after a special election win in Texas. ABC News, 8 Feb. 2026 The station on Santa Barbara Drive used by the Police Department, which has 232 employees, of whom 148 are sworn, is becoming worn and in need of upgrades, Jurjis said. Erika I. Ritchie, Oc Register, 6 Feb. 2026
Noun
Visitors of years past swear by their trick-or-treating hauls from these affluent neighborhoods, specifically the homes of Marissa Meyer (Professorville), Mark Zuckerberg (Crescent Park) and Larry Page and Laurene Powell Jobs (Old Palo Alto). John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 21 Oct. 2025 Don’t pretend the cure for coarse speech is a swear jar. Eric Preven, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for swear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swear
Verb
  • The agency points to the conduct of some protesters, who follow officers with their cars, block them in the street, curse at their faces, blow ear-piercing whistles and clamor outside their hotels at night.
    Natasha Korecki, NBC news, 14 Feb. 2026
  • After the beach, everyone goes to Tower 12, a bar that is now cursed by the spirit of Sandoval, and no one who goes there will ever know a moment’s peace.
    Brian Moylan, Vulture, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Semi-solid batteries promise reliable EVs below –4°F Beyond industrial machinery, the liquid-solid battery architecture has clear implications for electric vehicles operating in cold climates.
    Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 15 Feb. 2026
  • During his confirmation hearing Banks promised transparency on the WTC files.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 15 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Los Angeles — Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg on Wednesday testified before a jury for the first time about accusations that social media, including Instagram, harm children’s mental health.
    Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 19 Feb. 2026
  • In response to claims by the prominent late Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre, who claimed in court documents that Wexner was among men Epstein trafficked her to, Wexner testified to utter devotion to his wife of 33 years, Abigail.
    JULIE CARR SMYTH THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, Arkansas Online, 19 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • And, when the alarm wails hours before dawn, human cusses of angry protest join the chorus of budget appliances failing before their time.
    Virginia Konchan, The New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2024
  • My grandmother extended a ladder up into this tough old cuss of a tree and climbed up, at some risk, to pick the bulging fruit.
    Jim Meddleton, The Christian Science Monitor, 1 May 2024
Verb
  • How to say anything about The Changeling without blaspheming its deep mystery, its reverence for the unspeakable, animal heart of creation?
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Watching Rome, Shiv, and Ken attempt to battle, scrape, and betray their way into their father’s heart—and, conversely, seeing Logan withhold, meter out, and blaspheme his version of love back at them—propelled Succession through four glorious seasons.
    John Ortved, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The government has vowed to appeal the decision.
    Callum Sutherland, Time, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Congress failed yesterday to advance a spending bill that would fund the department through the end of September, and Democrats have vowed not to support any bill without major changes to immigration enforcement.
    Suzanne Nuyen, NPR, 13 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • While Sweetpea and Ed Burgess were busy congratulating themselves for securing Tony Day’s damning eyewitness account of Tender’s fraudulence, Whitney threatened his man in Africa back into the fold.
    Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 16 Feb. 2026
  • After the latest drop of the Epstein files, Andrew and Sarah’s move out of Royal Lodge was accelerated, and both were out by February 2, just days after the release of the files and the damning content within them.
    Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Counties would have five years to repay the loans, and would also have to pledge a source of revenue in the event FEMA didn't reimburse the funding.
    ALEX ROZIER Mississippi Today, Arkansas Online, 14 Feb. 2026
  • That happened after Kennedy pledged during his confirmation hearings not to undermine vaccine funding.
    Amanda Seitz, NPR, 13 Feb. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Swear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swear. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on swear

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!