1
as in curses
to use offensive or indecent language
no one is allowed to swear in this house
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2
as in promises
to make a solemn declaration of intent
swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth
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as in cusses
a disrespectful or indecent word or expression
can't you express your frustration without using swears?
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of swears
Matthew Geiger, Denver Post, 7 May 2026
The latter swears an oath to uphold the laws of this country and to preserve and safeguard the Constitution.
—Chicago Tribune, Twin Cities, 17 Apr. 2026
The latter swears an oath to uphold the laws of this country and to preserve and safeguard the Constitution.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2026
Kripke swears none of this was intentional and, if anything, seems rather bummed about it.
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 7 Apr. 2026
Without Brzezinski’s tact and creativity, Ashe swears the situation would have spiraled.
—Alec Lewis, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Billy Bob Thornton swears a blue streak.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 1 Mar. 2026
There’s a lot of UPF clothing out there, but for saltwater fishing, Rubner swears by Free Fly apparel from head to toe.
—Francesca Krempa, Outside, 9 Jan. 2026
Wildcat Mountain, New Hampshire In northern New Hampshire, Wildcat Mountain’s diehard following swears by its exciting terrain, stunning views of Mount Washington and the great White Mountain National Forest, and intimate, no-frills feel that makes winter-sport purists feel right at home.
—Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure, 8 Jan. 2026
Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 15 Apr. 2026
Kennedy could be heard hurling swears at the Swedish team.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 23 Feb. 2026
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
Verb
Prince swears this isn’t the start of a BBQ empire, though.
—Matthew Geiger, Denver Post, 7 May 2026
The latter swears an oath to uphold the laws of this country and to preserve and safeguard the Constitution.
—Chicago Tribune, Twin Cities, 17 Apr. 2026
The latter swears an oath to uphold the laws of this country and to preserve and safeguard the Constitution.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2026
Kripke swears none of this was intentional and, if anything, seems rather bummed about it.
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 7 Apr. 2026
Without Brzezinski’s tact and creativity, Ashe swears the situation would have spiraled.
—Alec Lewis, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Billy Bob Thornton swears a blue streak.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 1 Mar. 2026
There’s a lot of UPF clothing out there, but for saltwater fishing, Rubner swears by Free Fly apparel from head to toe.
—Francesca Krempa, Outside, 9 Jan. 2026
Wildcat Mountain, New Hampshire In northern New Hampshire, Wildcat Mountain’s diehard following swears by its exciting terrain, stunning views of Mount Washington and the great White Mountain National Forest, and intimate, no-frills feel that makes winter-sport purists feel right at home.
—Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure, 8 Jan. 2026
Noun
The event finds more than 20,000 people participating in an annual bar crawl throughout the city while dressed in their best holiday attire, tackiest Santa Claus costumes, and ugliest Christmas swears.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 15 Apr. 2026
Kennedy could be heard hurling swears at the Swedish team.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 23 Feb. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swears
Verb
-
Unclear if Instagram curses are transferrable.—
Clio Chang,
Curbed,
18 Dec. 2025
-
The driver curses at those outside and inside the car.—
Jason Kravarik,
CNN Money,
13 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Use a commercial preventive spray that promises to clean and kill algae and prevent it from returning.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
16 May 2026
-
But the next evolution promises the biggest step forward yet.—
James Morris,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
OpenAI board unanimously voted to reject Musk’s bid to acquire OpenAI last year, chair Bret Taylor testifies.—
Ashley Capoot,
CNBC,
12 May 2026
-
Personal chef Mila Adams testifies Adams was the first witness called to the stand after opening statements.—
Matt Schooley,
CBS News,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
He’d just been followed down a country highway by an angry mob, which screamed cusses and gave him the finger.—
Chris Smith,
Vanity Fair,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
Magyar vows to restore democratic institutions, investigate alleged corruption under Orbán, repair relations with the European Union and reduce Hungarian dependency on Russia.—
Justin Spike,
Los Angeles Times,
9 May 2026
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Creasy vows to avenge the Rayburns’ death and protect Poe (Billie Boullet), Rayburn’s teenage daughter who survived and witnessed the attack.—
Lynsey Eidell,
PEOPLE,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
Yarbo customers will be able to decide whether that feature even gets installed in the first place, cofounder Kenneth Kohlmann pledges to The Verge.—
Sean Hollister,
The Verge,
11 May 2026
-
In his world, high culture mixes with low culture, Southern Charm reunion shoots make way for podcasts with Meryl Streep, and Jon Hamm pledges allegiance to Summer House’s Ciara Miller.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
4 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Swears.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swears. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
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