1
as in coward
a person who shows a shameful lack of courage in the face of danger
denounced as curs those police officers who deserted their posts during the hurricane and its aftermath
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in bastard
a person whose behavior is offensive to others
only a cur would abandon friends in their time of need
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 cur
His Orlok is more feral and red-blooded than previous iterations, appearing swathed in ursine furs and accompanied by mangy curs.
—
Celia Mattison, Vulture, 27 Dec. 2024
His arch nemesis, Richard Nixon, had fled the White House like a diseased cur after the Watergate scandal and in his disappearance from the political scene, Thompson lost perhaps his greatest muse.
—Rory Feehan, SPIN, 9 Nov. 2023
On a blustery Saturday afternoon in April, 18 of 25 groups there had dogs off a leash, including this reporter with her black mouth cur mix, Archer.
—Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 4 Aug. 2023
In 1957, four mountain music players from Georgia, Kentucky, Virginia, and Tennessee discovered a shared love for the old mountain curs, and organized a breeding effort that saved the original mountain cur from extinction.
—Kyle Wintersteen, Field & Stream, 30 Jan. 2023
Behind the bar, the enormous portrait of the family’s late dog Rio — a black mouth cur for whom the restaurant is named — watches over the room.
—Sarah Blaskovich, Dallas News, 21 Dec. 2020
Pop it into first gear, low range, and this cur will claw halfway up the Washington Monument with no driver at the wheel.
—John Phillips, Car and Driver, 24 Mar. 2020
She black mouth cur, a Southern herding dog, Southern hunting dog.
—John Shea, SFChronicle.com, 2 Oct. 2019
From Kim Kardashian’s cur-our silk tank dress to Kendall’s black patent strapless look, Khloé’s embellished silver pants and crop top and Jordyn Woods’ gold halter mini, here are all the can’t miss looks of the night.
—Avery Matera, Teen Vogue, 11 Aug. 2018
Celia Mattison, Vulture, 27 Dec. 2024
His arch nemesis, Richard Nixon, had fled the White House like a diseased cur after the Watergate scandal and in his disappearance from the political scene, Thompson lost perhaps his greatest muse.
—Rory Feehan, SPIN, 9 Nov. 2023
On a blustery Saturday afternoon in April, 18 of 25 groups there had dogs off a leash, including this reporter with her black mouth cur mix, Archer.
—Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 4 Aug. 2023
In 1957, four mountain music players from Georgia, Kentucky, Virginia, and Tennessee discovered a shared love for the old mountain curs, and organized a breeding effort that saved the original mountain cur from extinction.
—Kyle Wintersteen, Field & Stream, 30 Jan. 2023
Behind the bar, the enormous portrait of the family’s late dog Rio — a black mouth cur for whom the restaurant is named — watches over the room.
—Sarah Blaskovich, Dallas News, 21 Dec. 2020
Pop it into first gear, low range, and this cur will claw halfway up the Washington Monument with no driver at the wheel.
—John Phillips, Car and Driver, 24 Mar. 2020
She black mouth cur, a Southern herding dog, Southern hunting dog.
—John Shea, SFChronicle.com, 2 Oct. 2019
From Kim Kardashian’s cur-our silk tank dress to Kendall’s black patent strapless look, Khloé’s embellished silver pants and crop top and Jordyn Woods’ gold halter mini, here are all the can’t miss looks of the night.
—Avery Matera, Teen Vogue, 11 Aug. 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cur
Noun
-
With rising apprehension, the Cabinet kept deliberating for a couple of days while Sumner did his best to shut down jingoistic rhetoric in the Senate from politicians who demanded that Lincoln not be a coward in the face of Great Britain.—
Zaakir Tameez
June 11,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2025
-
Because these cowards fear being doxed for their inhumane and unconscionable actions.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
10 June 2025
Noun
-
Police brought in hundreds of law enforcement personnel with dogs, armored carriers, horses and helicopters that circled overhead.—
Maryclaire Dale, Marc Levy and Michael Rubinkam,
Anchorage Daily News,
13 Sep. 2023
-
Responding officers found the dog, and advised the owner to take the dog in.—
cleveland,
cleveland,
13 Sep. 2023
Noun
-
But in politics — as in life —there’s a fine line between being genuine and being a jerk.—
Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic,
Forbes.com,
9 June 2025
-
Smoky, spicy jerk is also on the menu in the Pulled Jerk Pork & Coconut Shrimp appetizer at Eleanor’s at Sandals Grande Antigua.—
Sandals Resorts,
AFAR Media,
4 June 2025
Noun
-
Among the players connected to the disappearance are a wide and varied cast of Austin characters: an up-and-coming boxer who crossed the border from Mexico under strange circumstances, a rookie cop determined to crack the case, a grifter clown (figurative and literal).—
Lucas Schaefer
June 13,
Literary Hub,
13 June 2025
-
As the animals fought, brass bands played and clowns entertained.—
Hailey Branson-Potts,
Los Angeles Times,
3 June 2025
Noun
-
While bears are easily the biggest fear in some parks, a pack of hungry racoons or an inquisitive skunk aren’t to be messed with either.—
Geoffrey Morrison,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2025
-
Right before arriving at our campsite, a skunk ran across the front of the car, did a handstand, and then disappeared into the scrub.—
Benji Jones,
Vox,
21 May 2025
Noun
-
Golden Flying Snake The golden flying snake (Chrysopelea ornata) is another skilled glider, though slightly less proficient than its close relative, the paradise flying snake.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
7 June 2025
-
Alligators, snakes, lizards and more will be present for a Gatorland Live event at 11 a.m. and noon and a photo opportunity with gators will take place at the end of the programs.—
Orlando Sentinel Staff,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 June 2025
Noun
-
What This Means For You Recent research linking glyphosate, a common weedkiller ingredient, to cancer in rats raises new concerns about its safety for humans.—
Fran Kritz,
Verywell Health,
20 June 2025
-
In the delightful Ratatouille, Remy the rat (Patton Oswalt) struggles to fit in.—
Meg Walters,
EW.com,
19 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cur.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cur. Accessed 26 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share