Synonyms for expletive
- noun
- adjective
Most common
Synonyms by meaning
Noun
1. Oath — A profane, vulgar term, notably a curse or obscene oath
oath, swearing, swear word, cuss informal US, curse, swear, bad word, curse word
Other
Adjective
1. Superfluous
Other
Definitions
- n. 1
A profane, vulgar term, notably a curse or obscene oath.
If we don't take advantage of any [expletive] in any way, then it's our loss.
- adj. 1
Serving to fill up, merely for effect, otherwise redundant.
Related words
- Word family
- explicative
- Phrases
- expletive deleted
- Is a kind of
- interjection
Forms
- Plural
- expletives → oaths, swearings, cusses, curses…
Example sentences
- swear When angry, count to four. When very angry, swear.
- curse Don't curse or I'll wash your mouth out with soap.
- swearing Ziri was still swearing at everyone and everthing.
- intensifier In New England, the word "wicked" functions as an intensifier.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| expletive | rising | |
| swear | rising | |
| curse | rising | |
| swearing | rising | |
| intensifier | falling |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 4 letters
- oath1, cuss1
- 5 letters
- swear1, curse1
- 8 letters
- swearing2
- 9 letters
- redundant3, expletory
- 11 letters
- unnecessary5, superfluous3, ejaculation5, intensifier
- 12 letters
- interjectory
- 14 letters
- interjectional
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (swearing2 = 2 syllables).