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
Relevance
Examples 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
Hot With a Vengeance, Sable Yong looks to understand why vanity is still such a dirty word in a culture so obsessed with beauty.
—
Shannon Carlin, TIME, 27 June 2024
Nuance is a dirty word inside the Valley of the Stupid.
—Bob Raissman, New York Daily News, 16 Mar. 2024
Still, governance in the Boehner era was not a dirty word, and the vast majority of new Republican members were receptive to it.
—Robert Draper, New York Times, 30 May 2024
Patriotism, a dirty word among Russian liberals only a few years before, was making a comeback, accompanied by various hues of Russian nationalism.
—Dmitri Trenin, Foreign Affairs, 25 Dec. 2016
See all Example Sentences for dirty word 
Shannon Carlin, TIME, 27 June 2024
Nuance is a dirty word inside the Valley of the Stupid.
—Bob Raissman, New York Daily News, 16 Mar. 2024
Still, governance in the Boehner era was not a dirty word, and the vast majority of new Republican members were receptive to it.
—Robert Draper, New York Times, 30 May 2024
Patriotism, a dirty word among Russian liberals only a few years before, was making a comeback, accompanied by various hues of Russian nationalism.
—Dmitri Trenin, Foreign Affairs, 25 Dec. 2016
See all Example Sentences for dirty word
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dirty word
Noun
-
For high-achieving professionals, especially those who are naturally more sensitive and perceptive, emotional investment in work can be both a blessing and a curse.Melody Wilding, Contributor, CNBC, 19 Dec. 2024
-
Financial Education Is Wealth The third-generation wealth curse often befalls families where younger generations, especially grandchildren, are detached from how their predecessors went about building wealth.Next Avenue, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
The station asked the band not to include the swears.Kris Holt, Forbes, 2 Dec. 2024
-
There’s a heavy focus on Asia’s first One&Only spa, featuring a green caviar body exfoliation and an Augustinus Bader facial celebs swear by.Katie Lockhart, Robb Report, 11 Oct. 2024
Noun
-
Use neutral, factual language to ensure the message remains honest and unbiased.Tina Gada, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024
-
For example, 22 policies (44.0%) did not include language stating that parents must be notified of incidents as soon as possible.Nolan McKendry | The Center Square, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 16 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near dirty word
Cite this Entry
“Dirty word.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dirty%20word. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share