as in curse
a disrespectful or indecent word or expression
unleashed a slew of expletives upon losing the tennis match
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 expletive
Other posts included in the indictment show Habba was also called expletives.
—
Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 June 2025
During Tuesday night’s public comment period, the mayor’s mic picked up him uttering an expletive referring to a public commenter, with the moment posted on multiple social media accounts.
—Emilie Takahashi, Oc Register, 19 June 2025
After pausing there to chant slogans and expletives opposing Trump’s immigration policies, the group continued to march through downtown and appeared headed toward the Tower Bridge.
—Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 15 June 2025
Robert Rhoads, Oakland Park Politicians and vulgarities Your front-page article on the use of expletives by U.S.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 7 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for expletive
Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 June 2025
During Tuesday night’s public comment period, the mayor’s mic picked up him uttering an expletive referring to a public commenter, with the moment posted on multiple social media accounts.
—Emilie Takahashi, Oc Register, 19 June 2025
After pausing there to chant slogans and expletives opposing Trump’s immigration policies, the group continued to march through downtown and appeared headed toward the Tower Bridge.
—Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 15 June 2025
Robert Rhoads, Oakland Park Politicians and vulgarities Your front-page article on the use of expletives by U.S.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 7 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for expletive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for expletive
Noun
-
This is both a blessing and a curse in the list production process.—
Maggie McGrath,
Forbes.com,
30 July 2025
-
And after that, the Kennedy curse became this sort of wide-ranging explanation for a lot of things that were happening.—
Andrea Wurzburger,
People.com,
16 July 2025
Noun
-
Bonus: For every 100ml bottle sold, Omorovicza donates 5% to Water.org, supporting global access to safe water. Jones Road Miracle Balm, $40 Women over 50 swear by this award-winning, Bobbi Brown-founded brand for its nourishing and hydrating qualities.—
Kristen Philipkoski,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
-
The word was forbidden in their household and treated like a swear.—
Ariana Yaptangco,
Glamour,
22 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Barring any specific language in the Wilkins contract, the Raiders will have an uphill battle to fight.—
Saad Yousuf,
New York Times,
26 July 2025
-
The money, which was used to found a range of initiatives including teacher training and English language programs, was suspended by the Trump administration on June 30 pending a review by the federal Office of Management and Budget.—
James Bickerton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 July 2025
Noun
-
Jenna Bush Hager brought a little spicy energy to Today With Jenna & Friends on Thursday, when the NBC personality used profanity during a live broadcast, much to the shock of colleague Willie Geist and her behind-the-scenes crew members.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
25 July 2025
-
Filled with profanity, quirky pets, and everyday chaos, the show became a cult sensation and won a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Reality Program.—
Amanda Castro
Gabe Whisnant
Anna Commander
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 July 2025
Noun
-
Tackett shouted racial epithets against Latinos at the driver before hurling a cup of hot coffee into their car, splashing the victim’s face, hands and the inside of his car, Oldoerp said.—
City News Service,
Oc Register,
25 July 2025
-
The two welders who had been spewing racist epithets at Pierre, the lawsuit said, began retaliating.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
7 July 2025
Noun
-
As the Oxford English Dictionary notes, the expression not hardly is considered a vulgarism.—
NR Editors,
National Review,
16 Apr. 2020
-
The British cringed over new American accents, coinages and vulgarisms.—
Time,
Time,
11 June 2019
Noun
-
And, when the alarm wails hours before dawn, human cusses of angry protest join the chorus of budget appliances failing before their time.—
Virginia Konchan,
The New Yorker,
30 Sep. 2024
-
My grandmother extended a ladder up into this tough old cuss of a tree and climbed up, at some risk, to pick the bulging fruit.—
Jim Meddleton,
The Christian Science Monitor,
1 May 2024
Cite this Entry
“Expletive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expletive. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share