expletive

noun

ˈek-splə-tiv How to pronounce expletive (audio)
Definition of expletivenext
as in curse
a disrespectful or indecent word or expression unleashed a slew of expletives upon losing the tennis match

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 Even Bradley makes an appearance this season, storming out of a conversation in a cloud of expletives in the trailer. — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 30 Sep. 2026 Some Providence parents shook their heads as the clock wound down; others shouted expletives toward school administrators and Nazareth players. — Lila Hempel-Edgers, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026 Some voices rose above the crowd shouting expletives and Cooper’s name. — Danielle Battaglia, Charlotte Observer, 17 Sep. 2026 Loud jeers and expletives from Kansas fans rained upon the Tigers, most of whom were unfazed. — Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for expletive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for expletive
  1. curse
  2. swear
  3. language
  4. profanity
  5. epithet
  6. vulgarism
  7. cuss
Noun
  • But while social media debates on whether a Glee-boot is a blessing or a curse, the former cast is dusting off their sequin hats.
    — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Embedding nature in the wider business The breadth of nature is a blessing and a curse.
    — Bella Webb, Vogue, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of curse
Noun
  • The pinky swear proved binding, as Nelson wrote the screenplay within six weeks.
    — William Earl, Variety, 15 July 2026
  • Why fill with swears a show that might otherwise have been appointment viewing for the whole family?
    — Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 31 May 2026
Definition of swear
Noun
  • Axios Business Editor Dan Primack said Anthropic's S-1 filing marked a shift in the company's language towards using public markets to finance compute spending.
    — Ashley Capoot,Jordan Novet,Annie Palmer,Lora Kolodny,Kai Nicol-Schwarz,Caleigh Keating, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The vulnerability, called P2PShell, impacts a coding language that powers 70% of the world’s websites, enabling hackers to remotely execute code or gain access to information stored on servers.
    — Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of language
Noun
  • Referee Bill Vinovich said afterward that Vrabel was flagged for using profanity toward an official.
    — Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
  • According to disciplinary documents obtained by CBS Colorado, Olson used profanity and made derogatory comments about fellow officers, department command staff, and the department generally while discussing the Craig investigation.
    — Brian Maass, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of profanity
Noun
  • In the lawsuit, the family also claimed that an Oaks Christian School teacher accused their son of lying about the harassment after a student called him a racial epithet inside a classroom.
    — Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
  • The American Civil Liberties Union sued in February, alleging officers hurled racial epithets, acted violently, and largely withheld food, water, bathrooms and medical care.
    — Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of epithet
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
Definition of vulgarism
Noun
  • He’d just been followed down a country highway by an angry mob, which screamed cusses and gave him the finger.
    — Chris Smith, Vanity Fair, 11 May 2026
  • 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
Definition of cuss

Browse Nearby Words

explanatory
expletive
expletives
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Expletive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expletive. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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