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
  • Clementine, the oldest daughter, takes control to help break out the other children, and Mary, in telling her story publicly, has agency in rectifying the familial curse.
    — Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 9 Aug. 2026
  • What did Widow’s Bay creator and showrunner Katie Dippold see in Matthew Rhys as Tom Loftis, mayor of the New England island town plagued by a historic curse?
    — Beatrice Verhoeven, HollywoodReporter, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of curse
Verb
  • Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh said in a statement Thursday that Immigration Minister Tony Burke swore them in the day before at a citizenship ceremony in their Australian home city of Brisbane.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Fehr played Ardeth Bay, the leader of the secret society of elite warriors known as the Medjai who are sworn to protect Egypt from the franchise’s undead antagonist.
    — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of swear
Noun
  • As if the constant barrage of political ads wasn't enough, some WCCO viewers are particularly bothered by the language candidates are using.
    — Jeff Wagner, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Venus, planet of money and values, in your 2nd House of Resources opposes nebulous Neptune in your 8th House of Intimacy, so costs need clear language.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of language
Noun
  • Ads from candidates and outside groups can air there with profanity.
    — Jeff Wagner, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • One is cool, calm, collected, and joyful, while the other spews profanities and insults.
    — Jon Root OutKick, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of profanity
Noun
  • Commenters on Jacobs’ post were sympathetic to his close call in nearly dropping an expletive.
    — Rachel McRady, PEOPLE, 7 Aug. 2026
  • As Hwang and her partner placed the ticket on the car’s windshield and were returning to their vehicle, the vehicle’s owner approached, yelling expletives and ripping the citation to pieces.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 31 July 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 13 Aug. 2026.

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