cuss 1 of 2

noun

ˈkəs How to pronounce cuss (audio)
Definition of cussnext
as in curse
a disrespectful or indecent word or expression a man who has never uttered a single cuss

Synonyms & Similar Words

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cuss

2 of 2

verb

as in to swear
to use offensive or indecent language the little girl clapped her hands over her ears when her brother started cussing

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 cuss
Noun
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 This California school board president has 2 DUIs and cusses. — Emily Alpert Reyes, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2023
Verb
In the 2015 track, Sonya’s boyfriend finds them by the pool and starts cussing them out, pushing Coley to the ground, who, in turn, punches him. — Arushi Jacob, Variety, 19 June 2026 The man who blew the whistle didn’t shout, didn’t cuss and didn’t make a scene. — Jason Quick, New York Times, 2 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for cuss
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cuss
  1. curse
  2. swear
  3. language
  4. profanity
  5. expletive
Noun
  • For their version, which follows a young teen boy (Bean Reid’s Sam) who works to find his missing brother in a town haunted by an evil crop curse, the answer was pumpkin guts.
    — Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The money, which added up to many millions in today’s dollars, was a blessing and a curse.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of curse
Verb
  • The body language expert swore that the camp hangouts were positive.
    — Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Weeks later, after launching her mayoral campaign, Raman went on NBC4 and declared that city leaders need to maintain the size of the LAPD and keep sworn staffing from getting smaller.
    — David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of swear
Noun
  • But, unlike Felker and Bryan, the two don’t share a language or approach.
    — Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Brian Romick, the president of Democratic Majority for Israel, put out an issue framework last month in an attempt to move the conversation from the language to the actual policy.
    — David Weigel, semafor.com, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of language
Noun
  • The teenagers alleged that Storm co-owner Celeste Keaton confronted them and used profanity.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
  • But much like the way studios and directors of the 1960s and ’70s embraced the once-taboo profanity and nudity, this year AI has found a new wave of advocates eager to go public.
    — Corbin Bolies, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of profanity
Noun
  • Although Gillis moved on in the sketch, Day called back to the expletive later.
    — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Moments after McBride complained to Seeman about the play, sideline cameras showed Seeman mouthing inaudible words, appearing to be expletives, to McBride, who seemed surprised by Seeman’s conduct.
    — Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of expletive

Browse Nearby Words

cusps
cuss
cussed
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Cite this Entry

“Cuss.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cuss. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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