darned 1 of 2

variants also durned
Definition of darnednext

darned

2 of 2

verb

past tense of darn
as in stitched
to close up with a series of interlacing stitches in the old days, holes in socks had to be darned by hand

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 darned
Adjective
Songs deemed too fast These songs are too darned fast, over 120 BPM. Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 16 Mar. 2026 The first revelation was apparently fine, but her mom blamed those darned permissive Jesuits at Holy Cross for the second. Neal Rubin, Freep.com, 13 Dec. 2025 Within days, the magic of agricultural alchemy will turn it all into the best darned fertilizer since God invented the chicken. Paul Cappiello, Louisville Courier Journal, 12 Dec. 2025 Let’s cruise another groomer and try to remember how to make a gosh darned turn. Frederick Dreier, Outside, 2 Dec. 2025 An allied assertion is that if AI generates foul code, tell the AI to get its act together and fix the darned stuff. Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025 America’s sweetheart doesn’t need any more good press from anyone—I’d bet my fortune that she could be elected Queen of Tennessee, Constitution-be-darned, if elections were held today. Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 July 2025
Verb
Much is made of the iconography of the character of Mary Poppins — one of cinema's most famous, hyperbole be darned — but perhaps not enough is owed to how Julie Andrews, on the cusp of 30, simultaneously brought green charisma and decades of wisdom to the magical, practical nanny. Darren Franich, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Mar. 2026 If only that darned Joseph Stalin hadn’t come along. Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026 More holes had been worn through the holes that had been darned. Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2025 The Triumph was, and still is, honest, authentic, and darned-near bulletproof. Robert Ross, Robb Report, 29 Aug. 2025 That would be a ripe spot to declare that the AI isn’t of professional quality and make darned sure to remove any wording that suggests otherwise. Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for darned
Adjective
  • Pair the fuzzy crewneck top and subtle kick-flare pants with chic platform sneakers or breathable, on-trend Mary Janes (this pair from Rothy’s is so freaking comfortable).
    Annie Blackman, InStyle, 21 Feb. 2026
  • For context, a McLaren 765LT supercar only beats that by two feet, and that has a freaking air brake.
    Andrew P. Collins, The Drive, 19 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • However, Blackstone Valley returned to the ice for the first time since the fatal attack earlier this month, with players donning hearts stitched on the front of their jerseys with the initials of all three who died.
    ABC News, ABC News, 12 Mar. 2026
  • Jimmy Savile may not have been connected to Leeds United, but he was stitched into the fabric of the city.
    Simon Hughes, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Alex Jacobs, United States, 2026 A cursed artifact wrapped in static.
    Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 11 Mar. 2026
  • Mackenyu takes us to Loguetown and Ipponmatsu's Arms Shop, where his character recreates a scene from the anime involving a cursed sword.
    Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The surgeon sutured the wounds but knew the arm would have to be amputated.
    Sarah El Deeb, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026
  • The travelogue portion of Walking the Bypass is sutured, sometimes maladroitly, to a history of the Crown’s abuses of Indigenous peoples.
    Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Just get the darn curler and invoke Hathor!
    Fiona Landers, New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2026
  • Helles Real won this whole darn thing in 2023, so that 2 seed is well-earned.
    Rasputin Todd, Cincinnati Enquirer, 1 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The intimate space of a workshop, where brakes and other car parts are repaired.
    Matthew Carey, Deadline, 15 Mar. 2026
  • Missing shingles can quickly turn into leaks and significant water damage if the roof is not repaired.
    Timothy Dale, The Spruce, 15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Both teams were mostly awful on offense in the first half.
    Greg Beacham, Twin Cities, 11 Mar. 2026
  • Make no mistake about it, Smith was awful last year with the Raiders.
    Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • As compiled by Gnostics, who consider the material world to be a fundamentally terrible place.
    Jay Martel, New Yorker, 12 Mar. 2026
  • The Astros’ young second baseman, Jose Altuve, was making waves, Fisher remembered, yet the club still looked terrible.
    Evan Drellich, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Darned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/darned. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.

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