darnedest
4
8.3
- adjective
- /ˈdɑrnɪdɪst/
- Informal
- Well, if this ain't the darnedest thing!
- the darnedest thing
- the darnedest thing happened
Examples
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Kids say the darnedest things.
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The darnedest thing just happened.
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Listen, say, Joe, you know, it's the darnedest thing.
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You certainly turn up at the darnedest times.
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Sometimes I say the darnedest things.
Blog text (14) -
That is the darnedest thing I've ever seen.
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Rosemary, this is the darnedest thing!
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You find the darnedest people around a circus, don't you?
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"Kids," the ever-unctuous Linkletter signs off, "say the darnedest things."
Fiction book (2002) -
The magician performed the darnedest tricks that left everyone in awe.
Synonyms
106
5.0
Very surprising in a way that causes sudden shock
12
8.9
Very strange or surprising in a way that is hard to believe
4
8.8
Very strange or surprising in an unusual way
3
8.8
Very strange or surprising in a way you do not expect
1
9.9
Very surprising and impressive and said in a rude way
Antonyms
Idioms
Compounds
How Surprising
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
Darnedest comes from the mild word darn, a softer form of damn that people once used to show surprise or strong feeling. Saying 'the darnedest thing' meant 'the most surprising' or 'strangest', so that is why today it describes something very surprising.