1
as in curses
to use offensive or indecent language no one is allowed to swear in this house
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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
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
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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Unclear if Instagram curses are transferrable.— Clio Chang, Curbed, 18 Dec. 2025
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The driver curses at those outside and inside the car.— Jason Kravarik, CNN Money, 13 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The Democrats’ next presidential primary season won’t begin in earnest until after November’s midterm elections, but this week’s conference showcased a collection of Democrats already jockeying for position in what promises to be a crowded competition.— Steve Peoples, Fortune, 10 Apr. 2026
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The presidential primary season won't begin in earnest until after November's midterm elections, but this week's conference is showcasing a collection of Democrats already jockeying for position in what promises to be a crowded primary fight.— ABC News, ABC News, 9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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And Starmer will face further challenges on Tuesday when Robbins testifies in front of a parliamentary committee.— Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 20 Apr. 2026
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The light that falls from the left, through half-open windows, onto Vermeer’s walls, some of them bare, testifies not so much to an overcast Dutch day as to a suffusion of grace.— Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 13 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
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There’s a saying in Jamaica Davis, elected unopposed in 2024, vows to keep pushing the issue.— Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 15 Apr. 2026
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Cambodia passed unprecedented legislation Monday imposing life imprisonment for scam kingpins as the nation vows to eliminate cyber fraud operations by month’s end.— Sopheng Cheang, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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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
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Probation submitted a corrective action plan to the BSCC in March that pledges to expand oversight.— Jason Henry, Daily News, 8 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Swears.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/swears. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.
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