to swear

Examples

• All

• And it says, I solemnly swear that I'm up to no good.

  Hannah (Sex & Relationships Education)

• I'm coming in to swear out a warrant against you.

  Moonshine County Express (1977)

• So I am here to solemnly swear to do them next week.

• Look, tell Ms. Maloney, I swear I'll get her money to her by the end of the week.

  Werewolf Cabal (2022)

• Before giving his testimony, he had to swear an oath in court to tell the truth.

• As part of the ceremony, the new president will swear to uphold the constitution.

• She took a deep breath and prepared to swear her commitment to the organization.

Synonyms

T

to testify

vsto swear

• Formal

∞ 5.6

To say officially in court what you saw or know

is broader applying to solemn promises beyond court declarations

P

to pledge

vsto swear

• Formal

220 4.1

To promise seriously or give something as a guarantee

is used for solemn promises but also covers declarations made under oath

A

to assert

vsto swear

217 3.9

To clearly and firmly say your needs or opinions

is more solemn and may involve a formal oath or public promise

A

to affirm

vsto swear

112 4.1

To state clearly that something is true or show support for it

is more solemn and often involves an oath or formal promise

D

to depose

vsto swear

• Formal

17 8.0

To give a formal statement while promising to tell the truth

is broader including solemn promises and statements outside courtroom testimony

A

to aver

vsto swear

• Formal

4 7.9

To say firmly that something is true

is more formal and solemn often including an oath or legal context

A

to avow

vsto swear

• Formal

3 7.6

To say something openly, often in a formal way

is similar but usually used for promises or declarations made under oath not admissions

C

to covenant

vsto swear

• Formal

1 8.1

To make a formal written promise with another person or group

is a solemn promise or statement often made personally not as a mutual agreement

S

to swear blind

vsto swear

• UK

1 8.4

Say very firmly that something is true, even if others doubt it

is formal and solemn often involving an oath rather than mere strong insistence

D

to depone

vsto swear

• Formal

1 9.9

To give a formal statement under oath, often in writing

is mainly for spoken or public oaths while this focuses on written testimony

Idioms

S

to say you swear

• Informal

1 8.5

Ask someone to promise they are telling the truth or will keep a secret

Phrasal Verbs

S

to swear in

• Formal

88 4.2

To give someone a formal promise before they start an official job

S

to swear by

32 4.4

To strongly believe something is very good or useful

S

to swear off

19 4.9

Make a serious promise to stop doing something you do regularly

S

to swear at

• Offensive

12 6.5

Say rude words to someone when angry

S

to swear out

• Jargon

5 8.4

To tell a court that someone did something wrong so it gives a warrant

S

to swear blind

• UK

1 8.4

Say very firmly that something is true, even if others doubt it

How Solemn

vow

• Formal

274 3.4

oath

• Formal

408 3.6

to swear

• Formal

∞ 4.6

to pledge

• Formal

220 4.1

promise

∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

Etymology