1
as in curses
to use offensive or indecent language
no one is allowed to swear in this house
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in promises
to make a solemn declaration of intent
swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in cusses
a disrespectful or indecent word or expression
can't you express your frustration without using swears?
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 swears
Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure, 8 Jan. 2026
An InStyle writer swears by the Hourglass Vanish Airbrush Concealer for brightening her dark under-eye circles and acne marks.
—Melony Forcier, InStyle, 7 Jan. 2026
To keep the hardwood floors shiny, contributor Yelena Moroz Alpert swears by the Narwal S30 Pro Wet Dry vacuum cleaner.
—Terri Williams, Architectural Digest, 6 Jan. 2026
Kelley Kolettis swears by Sam's Club's Member’s Mark Hotel Luxury Collection 1,000 thread count sheets.
—Sarah Lyon, Southern Living, 5 Jan. 2026
From the beeswax taper that Kelly Wearstler swears by as a dinner party MVP to the Cire Trudon classic multiple pros call their favorite, their answers run the gamut.
—Hannah Coates, Vogue, 4 Jan. 2026
One of the most common riffs Simmons swears by at home or on the road?
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Jan. 2026
If someone swears on air, hosts typically apologize immediately to stay within Ofcom’s rules and avoid complaints or investigation.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
The Le Creuset Dutch stands at the ready in our Test Kitchen for any stewing and braising needs, and Firkser also swears by hers at home.
—Noah Kaufman, Bon Appetit Magazine, 29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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
An InStyle writer swears by the Hourglass Vanish Airbrush Concealer for brightening her dark under-eye circles and acne marks.
—Melony Forcier, InStyle, 7 Jan. 2026
To keep the hardwood floors shiny, contributor Yelena Moroz Alpert swears by the Narwal S30 Pro Wet Dry vacuum cleaner.
—Terri Williams, Architectural Digest, 6 Jan. 2026
Kelley Kolettis swears by Sam's Club's Member’s Mark Hotel Luxury Collection 1,000 thread count sheets.
—Sarah Lyon, Southern Living, 5 Jan. 2026
From the beeswax taper that Kelly Wearstler swears by as a dinner party MVP to the Cire Trudon classic multiple pros call their favorite, their answers run the gamut.
—Hannah Coates, Vogue, 4 Jan. 2026
One of the most common riffs Simmons swears by at home or on the road?
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Jan. 2026
If someone swears on air, hosts typically apologize immediately to stay within Ofcom’s rules and avoid complaints or investigation.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
The Le Creuset Dutch stands at the ready in our Test Kitchen for any stewing and braising needs, and Firkser also swears by hers at home.
—Noah Kaufman, Bon Appetit Magazine, 29 Oct. 2025
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
-
The Transportation Department can hold airlines accountable for these commitments and maintains a website that lets travelers see what each airline promises if a major disruption is their fault.—
Matt Nighswander,
NBC news,
24 Jan. 2026
-
The company promises to share information about closures on its website.—
Alexis Simmerman,
Austin American Statesman,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The island nation’s state-of-the-art sprawl testifies to its ascent as a global financial hub, a place for oligarchs to shelter their wealth and speculate.—
Dan Piepenbring,
Harpers Magazine,
30 Dec. 2025
-
This back-and-forth struggle to dominate American institutions testifies to their surpassing value and to their insusceptibility to permanent subordination.—
Stephen Kotkin,
Foreign Affairs,
16 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
In that moment, Dupree involuntarily punches him and the pair go quiet as Dooley cusses and bends over wincing in pain.—
Vanessa Etienne,
PEOPLE,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Bebo vows the technology will not make any final hiring decisions, one clear line in the sand.—
John Kell,
Fortune,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Senate Republicans plan to vote on a government funding package as soon as Thursday, shrugging off Democrats’ vows to filibuster the legislation unless DHS funding is removed and amended after two fatal Minnesota shootings.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Still, Amazon pledges to continue to experiment with new physical store formats.—
Anne D'Innocenzio,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Healthcare company pledges Obamacare rebates The CEO of UnitedHealth Group, Stephen Hemsley, vows to rebate company profits from the Affordable Care Act to its customers in 2026.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
22 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Swears.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swears. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
