to swear

Examples

• All

• I swear, you are literally the most selfish person I've ever met.

  A Minecraft Movie (2025)

• I swear to God, I won't tell a soul.

  Rites of Passage (2012)

• Yeah, but I do love that people who swear and have fun.

• But while some lawyers swear by the federal courts, others swear at them.

  Academic text (1997)

• I swear, they know when Hannah's about to film.

  The Dark Web Tapes (2020)

• I don't like it when you swear.

  So Undercover (2012)

• And he just starts ripping into me, swearing, calling me the worst names he can think of.

• And stop swearing, it doesn't sound cool.

  I Used to Be Funny (2024)

• The person I had stepped on was swearing in a rather breathless manner.

  Fiction book (1991)

• He became angry and started to swear loudly at the referee after the decision.

Synonyms

C

to curse

vsto swear

• Offensive

192 4.1

To say bad words in anger

is used generally, not only in anger

C

to cuss

vsto swear

• NSFW

30 8.1

To say swear words when angry or frustrated

is the general act of using offensive words, not only when angry

S

to swear at

vsto swear

• Offensive

7 6.5

Say rude words to someone when angry

is the general use of offensive words not necessarily aimed at others

C

to cuss at

vsto swear

• Offensive

5 8.1

To say rude words to someone or something

is the general act of using offensive words, not targeted

E

to eff

vsto swear

• Offensive

3 9.9

To say strong swear words like 'fuck' when angry

is direct offensive language rather than a softened euphemistic form

L

to let out a curse

vsto swear

• Offensive

6.8

To say a bad word when you feel angry or hurt

is broader, covering repeated or general use of offensive words

T

to turn the air blue

vsto swear

• Offensive

9.9

To use swear words, often when angry

is the general use of offensive words, not necessarily frequent

D

to drop the f-bomb

vsto swear

• Offensive

9.9

Say the rude word 'fuck', often in a situation where it surprises or offends people

is broader, applying to any offensive words not only that one

D

to drop an atomic F-bomb

vsto swear

• Offensive

9.7

To use the F-word to shock people

is the general use of offensive words without special dramatic intent

Idioms

S

to say you swear

• Informal

8.5

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

Phrasal Verbs

S

to swear in

• Formal

53 4.2

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

S

to swear by

18 4.4

To strongly believe something is very good or useful

S

to swear off

10 4.9

Make a serious promise to stop doing something you do regularly

S

to swear at

• Offensive

7 6.5

Say rude words to someone when angry

S

to swear out

• Jargon

3 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 Offensive

to blaspheme

• Offensive

5 9.6

to swear

• Offensive

253 4.3

insult

• Offensive

313 1.3

Surface Forms

Etymology