as in profanity
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1
as in cursing
to use offensive or indecent language
no one is allowed to swear in this house
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in vowing
to make a solemn declaration of intent
swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in testifying
to make a solemn declaration under oath for the purpose of establishing a fact
the sworn statement of the witness was presented as evidence
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Recent Examples of swearing
Francesca Gariano, PEOPLE, 6 May 2026
Ahead of the outcome, Duncan’s advocates held a ceremonial swearing-in for him.
—Sara Cline, Los Angeles Times, 3 May 2026
Immediately after his swearing in on April 14, Fuller began casting votes on the House floor.
—Tia Mitchell, AJC.com, 1 May 2026
Charles participated in a swearing-in ceremony for a group of Junior Rangers and got to stamp a Park Passport with a stamp specially commissioned for the occasion.
—Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026
Kempthorne was the first secretary of the interior to previously serve as governor, senator and mayor, Bush said at Kempthorne’s swearing-in.
—Idaho Statesman, 25 Apr. 2026
Ezra Galicia's swearing-in ceremony with the Colton Police Department.
—Lesley Marin, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
With Tuesday’s appointment, Thomas became the first Asian American police chief in Dakota County and just the second in Minnesota history — a milestone recognized by representatives from the Minnesota Asian Police Officers Association, who attended his swearing-in ceremony.
—Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 8 Apr. 2026
Markwayne Mullin, the new Department of Homeland Security secretary sworn in Tuesday, had his confirmation hearing, floor vote and swearing-in all within a weeklong period.
—Arkansas Online, 26 Mar. 2026
Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2026
Some incidents included use-of-force and other behavioral concerns, including discussions over whether to provide bodycam where deputies were swearing to the show.
—Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2026
Even the film’s critic-defying, pinky-swearing fanbase may be disappointed in the barebones production, jarring plotting, tired dialogue and ham-handed staging.
—Frank Rizzo, Variety, 23 Apr. 2026
If Rob Manfred were to wake up tomorrow morning and decide to do away with the seventh-inning stretch, untold amounts of swearing and freaking out would ensue, even though the origins of the practice are murky and the exercise itself is largely an empty signifier.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 10 Apr. 2026
That norm changed somewhat during Richard Nixon’s Watergate scandal, when transcripts of White House recordings revealed his penchant for swearing.
—Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2026
Tensions rose, neighbors said, to the point that King was heard at times swearing at Kirsten Wells as well as others using vulgar epithets.
—Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 26 Mar. 2026
Warren was bleeding but conscious, propped on an elbow, ordering Sneaky to get the sheep back, swearing when the man tried to move him.
—Literary Hub, 5 Mar. 2026
Another research project showed that negative spectator behaviors like swearing or threatening language was observed at 68% of events.
—Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2026
Noun
According to several outlets, both his parents attended his swearing-in ceremony.
—Francesca Gariano, PEOPLE, 6 May 2026
Ahead of the outcome, Duncan’s advocates held a ceremonial swearing-in for him.
—Sara Cline, Los Angeles Times, 3 May 2026
Immediately after his swearing in on April 14, Fuller began casting votes on the House floor.
—Tia Mitchell, AJC.com, 1 May 2026
Charles participated in a swearing-in ceremony for a group of Junior Rangers and got to stamp a Park Passport with a stamp specially commissioned for the occasion.
—Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026
Kempthorne was the first secretary of the interior to previously serve as governor, senator and mayor, Bush said at Kempthorne’s swearing-in.
—Idaho Statesman, 25 Apr. 2026
Ezra Galicia's swearing-in ceremony with the Colton Police Department.
—Lesley Marin, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
With Tuesday’s appointment, Thomas became the first Asian American police chief in Dakota County and just the second in Minnesota history — a milestone recognized by representatives from the Minnesota Asian Police Officers Association, who attended his swearing-in ceremony.
—Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 8 Apr. 2026
Markwayne Mullin, the new Department of Homeland Security secretary sworn in Tuesday, had his confirmation hearing, floor vote and swearing-in all within a weeklong period.
—Arkansas Online, 26 Mar. 2026
Verb
Davidson, 54, became the subject of numerous documentaries, and in 2019, made headlines for unintentionally swearing at Queen Elizabeth II while receiving an award for his advocacy work.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2026
Some incidents included use-of-force and other behavioral concerns, including discussions over whether to provide bodycam where deputies were swearing to the show.
—Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2026
Even the film’s critic-defying, pinky-swearing fanbase may be disappointed in the barebones production, jarring plotting, tired dialogue and ham-handed staging.
—Frank Rizzo, Variety, 23 Apr. 2026
If Rob Manfred were to wake up tomorrow morning and decide to do away with the seventh-inning stretch, untold amounts of swearing and freaking out would ensue, even though the origins of the practice are murky and the exercise itself is largely an empty signifier.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 10 Apr. 2026
That norm changed somewhat during Richard Nixon’s Watergate scandal, when transcripts of White House recordings revealed his penchant for swearing.
—Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2026
Tensions rose, neighbors said, to the point that King was heard at times swearing at Kirsten Wells as well as others using vulgar epithets.
—Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 26 Mar. 2026
Warren was bleeding but conscious, propped on an elbow, ordering Sneaky to get the sheep back, swearing when the man tried to move him.
—Literary Hub, 5 Mar. 2026
Another research project showed that negative spectator behaviors like swearing or threatening language was observed at 68% of events.
—Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swearing
Noun
-
There's some adult language There are several elements of adult language throughout the film, including minor instances of profanity and several passive insults.—
Jordana Comiter,
PEOPLE,
1 May 2026
-
Just this insane profanity-laden tirade that went on and on and on.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Etsy witches are cursing Klay Thompson Wow.—
Amber Harding OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Armenians at home and in the diaspora voiced their outrage at the friendly message, drawing up grievances and cursing the government, often with expletives.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
When the social media app briefly went dark in January 2025, Trump, on his first day in office, signed an executive order that allowed the company to continue operating in the United States, essentially vowing not to enforce the ban while negotiations over a potential sale continued.—
Katherine Faulders,
ABC News,
8 May 2026
-
The seat will be up for election again in November for the full term, with both Greene and Tunney vowing to run.—
DeJanay Booth-Singleton,
CBS News,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
But the OpenAI president has been stuck for days doing exactly that, while testifying in a trial in which Elon Musk has alleged that OpenAI abandoned its nonprofit mission to instead focus on personally enriching leaders like Brockman and Sam Altman.—
Ashley Belanger,
ArsTechnica,
5 May 2026
-
The live-in chef who accused Stefon Diggs of assault took the stand Monday on the first day of his trial, testifying that the former New England Patriots wide receiver slapped and choked her during a dispute at his home.—
Michael Casey,
Chicago Tribune,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
The president later removed the post in the face of outrage and accusations of blasphemy.—
Laura Kelly,
The Hill,
4 May 2026
-
For creatives, its use was treated like blasphemy.—
Ethan Millman,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
As members of both teams poured onto the field, Miller stood his ground and started aggressively pointing at and cussing out more Reds, directing them back towards their dugout.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
His endless threats, coupled with his waves of cussing, make Trump sound like a drunk in a bar looking for a fight.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
This year has a list of buzzy projects that seem promising on paper.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
11 May 2026
-
That’s why communities aren’t satisfied with data centers promising that construction-phase water consumption represents temporary peak usage.—
Ashley Belanger,
ArsTechnica,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
The other guys are on their feet, trying to break it up, someone is calling someone else a loser, there are swings and kicks and insults, men grabbing at other men, trying to restrain them and busting the restraints.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
6 May 2026
-
After discussion with my editors, ProPublica decided to note the insults in the story.—
Hannah Allam,
ProPublica,
4 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Swearing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swearing. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
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