Synonyms for swear
- verb
- adjective
- noun
Synonyms by meaning
Verb
3. Curse — to use offensive, profane, or obscene language
curse, blaspheme, cuss informal US, vilify, imprecate rare, execrate dated
Other
vow, pledge, take it easy informal, laze about informal, loaf
Adjective
4. Loath — reluctant; unwilling
Noun
oath, curse word, expletive, four-letter word, nap, undermeal dated
Definitions
- v. 1
To take an oath that an assertion is true.
The witness swore that the person she had seen running out of the bank was a foot shorter than the accused.
- v. 2
To use offensive, profane, or obscene language.
- adj. 1
Dull; lazy; slow.
- n. 1
A swear word.
Related words
- Word family
- swearsome sweary swearing
- Phrases
- swear word swear jar swear off swear out pinky swear say you swear swear in swear box
Choose the right word
In legal usage, affirm has a general agreement with depose and testify; it differs from swear in not invoking the name of God.
J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)
Example sentences
- declare I hereby declare the opening of the Olympic Games.
- verify Could you verify that your computer is plugged in?
- aver He had to aver that he was responsible for the mistake.
- bet I'll bet you looked beautiful when you were young.
- reckon What do you reckon the voter turnout will be today?
By length
- 3 letters
- bet1, nap1, vow1
- 4 letters
- look1, bank1, rely2, oath1, dull1, swan1, idle2, loaf1, cuss1, aver2, avow2
- 5 letters
- state1, heavy2, count1, curse1, loath1, massy
- 6 letters
- depend2, pledge1, verify3, reckon2, assert2, affirm2, stingy2, depose2, vilify3, depone
- 7 letters
- massive2, declare2, testify3, weighty2, miserly3, adjudge2
- 8 letters
- execrate
- 9 letters
- calculate3, expletive3, blaspheme, penurious4, imprecate, undermeal
- 11 letters
- disinclined3
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (rely2 = 2 syllables).