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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of swears
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
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
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
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
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
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
-
However, the new approach promises to overcome this problem.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Apr. 2026
-
There’s no warmth in this movie, which is drained of emotional affect despite the galvanizing filmmaking that potentially promises otherwise.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Dern plays Monsanto’s chief toxicologist, who testifies during the trial that Roundup is safe.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Horner’s former pastor testifies Gary, a lead pastor at Horner’s church, is testifying.—
Amy McDaniel,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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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
-
Mayor vows to catch 'thugs who did this' Baton Rouge Mayor Sid Edwards promised that law enforcement will catch the people responsible for the violence at the mall.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2026
-
The new debt, plus WBD’s existing debt ($29 billion at year end 2025), comes to almost $80 billion, a massive load, even as Ellison vows to expand investments in film, TV and technology.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Trump’s nominee pledges less transparency around how the central bank interprets economic data.—
Stacey Vanek Smith,
Bloomberg,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Beyond a glaring betrayal of the medium the Drafthouse once sought to exalt, the QR policy single-handedly reduces the theater from a sacred space to just another room, which is an illusion that even AMC nominally pledges to maintain.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Swears.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swears. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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