1
as in ornamentals
a small object displayed for its attractiveness or interest
be careful of the fragile curios on the end tables
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in rarities
something strange or unusual that is an object of interest
a museum's collection of curios brought back from the Far East by 19th-century traders
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 curios
The villas are filled with books, instruments, games, curios and thoughtful details that suggest actual living rather than generic hospitality design.
—
Arion McNicoll,
TheWeek,
15 June 2026
From room to room walls are covered in blue block prints or hot-pink illustrations of pear trees, while floors are scattered with artisanal rugs and a collection of curios—a rooster statue, a floral dress form—is hidden all over.
—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Conscription and extensive civil defense shelters, now historical curios in much of the West, remain bedrock elements of Finnish defense.
—
Liam Denning,
Bloomberg,
12 Mar. 2026
Meanwhile, admirers, colleagues and gallery workers have sent her curios from New Mexico, Tennessee, New England and beyond.
—
Leigh-Ann Jackson,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
Other items will also be available, such as jewelry, curios, knick-knacks, puzzles and more.
—
Andrea Manes,
Oc Register,
15 Jan. 2026
Advertisement While most fish-out-of-water stories are keen to highlight the strangeness of the world in which the protagonist has embedded themselves, Rental Family treats the curios of Japanese culture with the utmost respect and a naturalistic approach.
—
Barry Levitt,
Time,
21 Nov. 2025
Frankenstein was even part of the dark ’n’ gritty action-horror hybrid trend of the 2010s, bringing us weird curios like Frankenstein’s Army (2013) and I, Frankenstein (2014).
—
Katie Rife,
Vulture,
9 Nov. 2025
Made in Ancient Egypt, which opened this month at Cambridge’s Fitzwilliam Museum, features commemorative stela, golden coffins and masks, and sundry curios created in a style that changed very little down the centuries.
—
Brendan Ruberry,
semafor.com,
13 Oct. 2025
Arion McNicoll,
TheWeek,
15 June 2026
From room to room walls are covered in blue block prints or hot-pink illustrations of pear trees, while floors are scattered with artisanal rugs and a collection of curios—a rooster statue, a floral dress form—is hidden all over.
—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Conscription and extensive civil defense shelters, now historical curios in much of the West, remain bedrock elements of Finnish defense.
—
Liam Denning,
Bloomberg,
12 Mar. 2026
Meanwhile, admirers, colleagues and gallery workers have sent her curios from New Mexico, Tennessee, New England and beyond.
—
Leigh-Ann Jackson,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
Other items will also be available, such as jewelry, curios, knick-knacks, puzzles and more.
—
Andrea Manes,
Oc Register,
15 Jan. 2026
Advertisement While most fish-out-of-water stories are keen to highlight the strangeness of the world in which the protagonist has embedded themselves, Rental Family treats the curios of Japanese culture with the utmost respect and a naturalistic approach.
—
Barry Levitt,
Time,
21 Nov. 2025
Frankenstein was even part of the dark ’n’ gritty action-horror hybrid trend of the 2010s, bringing us weird curios like Frankenstein’s Army (2013) and I, Frankenstein (2014).
—
Katie Rife,
Vulture,
9 Nov. 2025
Made in Ancient Egypt, which opened this month at Cambridge’s Fitzwilliam Museum, features commemorative stela, golden coffins and masks, and sundry curios created in a style that changed very little down the centuries.
—
Brendan Ruberry,
semafor.com,
13 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for curios
Noun
-
While the company has changed its product over the years, from produce to ornamentals, he's always grown to serve his local community.
-
Many of the plants on this list can be interplanted with ornamentals in garden beds and around your patio or deck.
Noun
-
In his one-year-old West Hollywood restaurant Darling, a large listening bar is centered in the middle of the airy room, the plywood shelves filled with rarities from Dolly Parton to Merle Haggard…and sometimes a touch of Madonna.
-
In related news, after years of licensing issues, the group’s 50-track rarities collection Useless Trinkets has recently returned to streaming platforms.
Noun
-
The 2026 edition was one for the books, with a record 66 houses showcasing their latest novelties to around 60,000 visitors in Geneva and nearly 1 billion online.
-
The organizations that treat these tools as durable, governable infrastructure, rather than novelties, will be the ones that turn AI potential into measurable progress.
Noun
-
Though long bypassed by interstates, the historic highway, home of scenic vistas and roadside curiosities, continues to attract travelers searching for an America of yesterday.
-
The at-home microbiome test has become one of wellness culture’s favorite curiosities.
Noun
-
In the 1890s, Henry Flagler’s crews leveled a massive burial mound to build his Royal Palm hotel across the river, selling skulls as souvenirs and dumping the rest of the human remains into a sinkhole, never since found.
-
And of course, there’s a gift shop to take home some souvenirs.
Noun
-
Hallmark and Disney will also release a collection of goodies inspired by the movie, including greeting cards, ornaments, gifts, gift wrap and other unique products.
-
These popular plants are superb, long-lasting garden ornaments.
Noun
-
Others receive cheap trinkets, packing material or nothing at all.
-
From there, the little trinkets can be placed on a keychain or string for display on a backpack or as a piece of jewelry.
Noun
-
A lot of those people have Victoria Baumann and Charlie Moreton to thank, the father-daughter duo behind Victoria Essie Studio that produces fidget toys and other knickknacks out of their homes in North Carolina.
-
Small knickknacks, like salt and pepper shakers, can be cute, but thrifting experts recommend against buying them at garage sales.
Cite this Entry
“Curios.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/curios. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
