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durn

durn

9.9
Said when you are a little angry, annoyed, or surprised
  • interjection
  • /dɜrn/
  • Informal
translation icon : maldito
  • Well, durn, I got to thinking.

Examples

  • durn, I forgot my keys at home!

  • Oh durn, I didn’t expect that to happen!

  • Well, durn it, I missed the bus again!

Synonyms

heck
vsdurn
  • Informal
422 7.5

A small amount of care or worry about something

is informal and used for mild annoyance without harshness
what the hell
vsdurn
  • NSFW
347 8.9

An angry or surprised question showing you do not believe something

is milder and avoids strong profanity or harsh disbelief
darn
vsdurn
  • Informal
62 6.7

A word people say when they feel annoyed or surprised

is a more informal dialectal exclamation used the same way
darn it
vsdurn
  • Informal
17 8.4

A short phrase people say when they feel frustrated or disappointed

is used for mild annoyance or surprise in casual speech
grrr
vsdurn
  • Informal
11 9.9

A short sound people say or write to show anger

is a milder informal exclamation not mainly a growl
grr
vsdurn
  • Informal
8 9.9

A short sound like a growl people use to show anger or frustration

is a mild verbal exclamation rather than a growl-like sound
drat
vsdurn
  • Informal
7 9.5

A short spoken word people use to show mild annoyance or disappointment

is more informal and can also show mild surprise
grrrr
vsdurn
  • Texting
4 9.9

A written sound that shows anger or frustration

is less intense and expresses mild annoyance or surprise
argh
vsdurn
  • Informal
1 9.8

A short sound that shows frustration or annoyance

is a spoken word used for mild annoyance or surprise not a growl
dratted
vsdurn
  • Archaic
1 8.6

A mild word people use to show they are annoyed about something

is a short informal exclamation for mild annoyance or surprise
danged
vsdurn
  • Informal
1 9.0

A short word people say to show mild anger, surprise, or frustration

is more informal and used mainly in casual speech
harrumph
vsdurn
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A short gruff sound that shows annoyance or disapproval

is more for mild anger or surprise without the disapproving tone
to consarn
vsdurn
  • Archaic
1 9.9

To say an old-fashioned rude word to show surprise or anger

is informal modern speech rather than old-fashioned dialect
durned
vsdurn
  • Informal
9.9

A short word said to show surprise or mild anger

is less tied to stronger swearing and used for plain mild annoyance
drats
vsdurn
  • Informal
9.2

A mild exclamation people say when they feel annoyed or disappointed

is used more broadly for mild anger or surprise in speech
goldarn
vsdurn
  • Archaic
9.9

An exclamation said when you are annoyed or surprised

is an informal mild exclamation without intending strong profanity
nerts
vsdurn
  • Archaic
9.9

A short shout expressing disbelief or annoyance

is used more for mild anger or surprise rather than disbelief
bejeezus
vsdurn
  • Informal
9.9

A loud informal shout that shows surprise, shock, or strong annoyance

is milder and focuses on casual annoyance rather than shock
consarned
vsdurn
  • Archaic
9.9

An old mild word people say when they are annoyed

is used in ordinary modern informal speech not in old dialect
sacr bleu
vsdurn
  • Archaic
9.9

A short cry of surprise used to sound French

is a plain informal exclamation used for mild anger or surprise
swounds
vsdurn
  • Archaic
9.9

An old word people say to show surprise, anger, or shock

is contemporary and informal instead of archaic or poetic

Compounds

durn cat
  • Informal
9.9

A cat that causes trouble and annoys people, said jokingly or with mild annoyance

durn shame
  • Informal
9.9

A feeling of regret or disappointment about something unfortunate

How Annoyed

damn
  • NSFW
6.7
durn
  • Informal
9.9
darn
  • Informal
62 6.7
drat
  • Informal
7 9.5

Surface Forms

durn main

Etymology

Durn as an exclamation comes from the same softer change of darn and damn and works like a quick 'oh no' to show 'mild anger' or surprise. A helpful way to remember it is that people say durn when they want to complain without using a strong swear.