1
as in cursed
to use offensive or indecent language
no one is allowed to swear in this house
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in vowed
to make a solemn declaration of intent
swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth
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 swore
Kennedy received a verbal warning from governing body World Curling a day after the feisty back-and-forth with the Swedish team, when fingers were pointed and the Canadian player repeatedly swore.
—
Steve Douglas, Arkansas Online, 15 Feb. 2026
But in a video shared on social media Tuesday (and during a Fox News appearance last night), Kid Rock swore his performance wasn’t lip-synched, just super out of sync.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 10 Feb. 2026
Last February, DeSantis swore Uthmeier in as attorney general.
—Alexandra Glorioso, Miami Herald, 4 Feb. 2026
As soon as we were settled as a group, a few of us on the bed, a few cross-legged on the carpet, Rosie swore us to secrecy and showed us her pack of birth-control pills, from which three were missing.
—Nell Freudenberger, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
The murder of Trooper George Hanna was especially egregious, robbing the community of a man who swore to protect and serve it.
—Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 15 Jan. 2026
Kon Knueppel, Charlotte Hornets (+500 to win) Knueppel has been as good as advertised by the experts who swore his game would translate to the NBA level.
—Zach Harper, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2026
For a guy who swore off foreign entanglements, Trump has the United States as tangled as a cheap fishing reel.
—Nolan Finley, Twin Cities, 9 Jan. 2026
Or in the exaggerated, almost unbelievable stories told by aging fans who swore college football once had a soul, an edge and an attitude that rattled authority.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Jan. 2026
Steve Douglas, Arkansas Online, 15 Feb. 2026
But in a video shared on social media Tuesday (and during a Fox News appearance last night), Kid Rock swore his performance wasn’t lip-synched, just super out of sync.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 10 Feb. 2026
Last February, DeSantis swore Uthmeier in as attorney general.
—Alexandra Glorioso, Miami Herald, 4 Feb. 2026
As soon as we were settled as a group, a few of us on the bed, a few cross-legged on the carpet, Rosie swore us to secrecy and showed us her pack of birth-control pills, from which three were missing.
—Nell Freudenberger, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
The murder of Trooper George Hanna was especially egregious, robbing the community of a man who swore to protect and serve it.
—Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 15 Jan. 2026
Kon Knueppel, Charlotte Hornets (+500 to win) Knueppel has been as good as advertised by the experts who swore his game would translate to the NBA level.
—Zach Harper, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2026
For a guy who swore off foreign entanglements, Trump has the United States as tangled as a cheap fishing reel.
—Nolan Finley, Twin Cities, 9 Jan. 2026
Or in the exaggerated, almost unbelievable stories told by aging fans who swore college football once had a soul, an edge and an attitude that rattled authority.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swore
Verb
-
An off-duty Douglas County sheriff’s deputy spit and cursed at a Parker police officer while waiting to be taken to jail after he was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving earlier this month, according to an arrest affidavit.—
Katie Langford,
Denver Post,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Two of them won the Stanley Cup elsewhere — giving weight to the notion that the Leafs might be cursed.—
The Athletic Staff,
New York Times,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
However, Magyar has vowed to bring home billions in funding the EU has suspended to Hungary over its concerns that Orbán has eroded democratic institutions, reduced judicial independence and failed to tackle corruption.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
16 Feb. 2026
-
The government has vowed to appeal the decision.—
Callum Sutherland,
Time,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The retrial instructions to the jury indicate that Alkayyali also testified at the retrial.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
-
On Tuesday, when ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons testified to the House Homeland Security Committee, Democratic Representative Tim Kennedy asked him whether Noem should resign.—
Michael Scherer,
The Atlantic,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
That Youngin still a man and he can get cussed out but don’t put ya hands on me.—
Lawrence Dow,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Oct. 2025
-
We have been cussed for offering the homeless food, water and clothing.—
Bruce Higgins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
That is still short of the 200,000 Newsom promised.—
CalMatters,
Oc Register,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Each of these characters is perfectly positioned for the life of privilege their parents promised, and yet eager for something different.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
On Saturday, Providence pledged its support for Watts and its faith in the agency’s future.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
15 Feb. 2026
-
The United Arab Emirates and the United States have already pledged $1 billion to Trump’s Board of Peace, according to two officials close to the board's funding matters.—
Nandika Chatterjee,
Time,
14 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Swore.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swore. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
