curve 1 of 2

noun

Definition of curvenext
as in curvature
something that curves or is curved the bold curve of the racing yacht's hull

Synonyms & Similar Words

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curve

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to arc
to turn away from a straight line or course after following a straight path most of the way down the mountain, the ski trail abruptly curves to the right

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to bend
to cause to turn away from a straight line curved the wood to make a bow

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 curve
Noun
This could pay off in the long run, but like NASA’s experience with commercial lunar missions, the learning curve will likely be steep, especially for landers. — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 1 Sep. 2026 That suggests the newcomer won’t have a steep learning curve. — Matt Barrows, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Verb
Its flowing, inward-curving shape wraps around a 30-foot central tower, forming a space where people can come together to reflect, remember, and gather. — Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026 But plenty of long-range computer models continue to show a future for the system, most as a tropical storm headed west toward the Caribbean, although plenty also show a potential track that curves north of Puerto Rico. — Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for curve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for curve
  1. curvature
  2. arc
  3. bend
  4. angle
  5. round
  6. arch
  7. turn
  8. trend
Noun
  • This theory predicted that the light from distant stars appearing very close to the sun's edge should shift due to the curvature of space.
    — Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The Samsung 32-inch Essential S3 sets a strong benchmark for budget big-screen value by pairing an immersive 1800R curvature with smooth 100-hertz refresh performance.
    — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of curvature
Verb
  • Government fire investigators said the fire, which killed 19 people and destroyed thousands of homes, was caused by electrical arcing on Edison’s out-of-service transmission line in Eaton Canyon.
    — Melody Petersen, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Taylor dropped back three steps and arced a jump ball into the corner over Barron and into the mitts of Sheppard, who appeared to scrape both toes along the turf before the Broncos’ stopper shoved him out of bounds.
    — Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of arc
Verb
  • Just as their own fictions bend and weave tales, so too do their own lives and rivalries.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The flatter geometry makes the ruler much more responsive to the bending forces.
    — Pawel Maniewski, New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of bend
Noun
  • The effect was also seen in another important state of magic-angle graphene.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2026
  • With it, Kim was able to adjust for the different camera angles and use openly available videos on Baseball Savant to identify the glove as a target and figure out miss distances.
    — Eno Sarris, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of angle
Verb
  • The walls are finished in shiplap, while wooden beams round out the space, giving it a subtly cottage-like appearance.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Juno Temple, Rhys Ifans and Stephen Graham round out the cast.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of round
Verb
  • The footage shows a coronal loop arcade — a series of arching loops of hot plasma shaped by the sun's magnetic field — extending high above the solar limb, or apparent edge of the sun.
    — Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Video captured from the drone’s perspective and released on Facebook, shows the frustrated bobcat standing by a staircase, growling and arching its back at the hovering machine.
    — Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of arch
Noun
  • Sharp right turns have occurred before Both of the two hurricanes to make a direct landfall on the major islands of Hawaii in the modern record also took sharp right turns.
    — Doyle Rice, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
  • But his memory, of a long career as a reporter around the globe, with turns as an essayist, a historian, a novelist, and a political activist, remains almost eerily lucid.
    — Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of turn
Verb
  • Warm, natural wood tones are trending for 2027, replacing cooler, artificially washed colors.
    — Jason Rueger, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Specifically in dress, rounder toes are trending; a refreshing alternative to the almond shape that has dominated for the past few seasons.
    — Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of trend

Browse Nearby Words

curvatures
curve
curved
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Curve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/curve. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on curve

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about curve

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