dirty word

noun

Definition of dirty wordnext
as in curse
a disrespectful or indecent word or expression I'm afraid I won't be much help on the trip—the only Spanish I know is a handful of dirty words

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 dirty word Nuclear was once a dirty word, but its rehabilitation has proceeded much faster than expected. — Rachel Marsden, Hartford Courant, 5 June 2026 Today, unfortunately, civics has become a dirty word. — Ken Burns, Rolling Stone, 19 May 2026 Prohibition has been a dirty word in American public policy since the Twenty-First Amendment passed. — Charles Fain Lehman, The Atlantic, 4 May 2026 In an era when disco was still a dirty word, the foursome fully embraced dance music. — Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 3 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for dirty word
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dirty word
  1. curse
  2. swear
  3. language
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
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
  • 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

Browse Nearby Words

dirty tricks
dirty word
dirty words
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Cite this Entry

“Dirty word.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dirty%20word. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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