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
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.
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Recent Examples of swears
Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 31 May 2026
But in the early days of the Maniacs, everyone swears that Merchant was a shrieking dervish during shows, exorcising her teenage demons on the stage of every bar in the Rust Belt.
—Dan Kois, Pitchfork, 17 May 2026
Jack Schlossberg swears there is a method to his madness.
—Dan Adler, Vanity Fair, 15 May 2026
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
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
Why fill with swears a show that might otherwise have been appointment viewing for the whole family?
—Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 31 May 2026
But in the early days of the Maniacs, everyone swears that Merchant was a shrieking dervish during shows, exorcising her teenage demons on the stage of every bar in the Rust Belt.
—Dan Kois, Pitchfork, 17 May 2026
Jack Schlossberg swears there is a method to his madness.
—Dan Adler, Vanity Fair, 15 May 2026
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
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
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In one of the film's most surprising sequences, his character golfs the best game of his life during a terrifying storm, misses a putt, curses God, and gets struck by lightning.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 May 2026
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Unclear if Instagram curses are transferrable.—
Clio Chang,
Curbed,
18 Dec. 2025
Verb
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No matter the result of the final, a million people are expected to line the streets of North London to celebrate at least one major trophy for their men’s team in a parade that promises to end all soccer parades.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
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The Red Sea destination promises barefoot luxury that leaves a light footprint, redefining what an upscale travel experience can be.—
Lauren Keith,
Robb Report,
30 May 2026
Verb
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Whether that act was intentional or not, French psychoanalyst Jean-Louis Katz, a passenger on the train, testifies against Anna, who does time for manslaughter.—
Jasmine Vojdani,
Vulture,
2 June 2026
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The judge also said prosecutors can show the jury a limited amount of photos from Lucy’s autopsy when someone from the Miami-Dade Medical Examiner’s Office testifies about Lucy’s death.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
29 May 2026
Noun
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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
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While Doherty’s Prue gets Piper to a hospital, Piper dies in her arms, and Prue vows to bring her back.—
Brianna Zigler,
Entertainment Weekly,
2 June 2026
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Earlier this month, Matsui’s campaign came after Vang for taking corporate donations from Sacramento-area businesses during her city council campaigns, implying that Vang’s vows to not accept money from corporate PACs in her congressional bid is hypocritical.—
Jennah Pendleton,
Sacbee.com,
1 June 2026
Verb
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This year’s election themes include national reconciliation due to the fighting seen in regions such as Tigray, Oromia, and Amhara, and there is also a development theme as the government pledges to undertake major projects.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
31 May 2026
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While Petro is barred from seeking re-election, Senator Iván Cepeda pledges to continue the president’s leftist agenda, running as the candidate for the ruling Historic Pact party.—
Catherine Ellis,
Miami Herald,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Swears.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swears. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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