bad word

NOUN

dirty word

Synonyms

WEAK

curse cuss cuss word dirty name expletive foul invective four-letter word naughty word oath obscenity profane oath profanity swear word vulgarity

NOUN

four-letter word

Synonyms

STRONGEST

expletive obscenity profanity vulgarity

WEAK

curse cuss cuss word dirty word naughty word oath profane oath swear swearword

Antonyms

STRONGEST

decency

NOUN

swear word

Synonyms

WEAK

bad language curse cursing cuss word cussing dirty word expletive filthy language filthy word foul language four-letter word malediction naughty word oath obscenity profanity swear swearing swearword tinker's cuss vulgar language

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

bad word

Nobody has a bad word to say about him.

From BBC ● May 5, 2026

Nobody I have spoken to has a bad word to say about her.

From BBC ● Dec. 23, 2025

Banks: I had never heard a bad word about Jessica Biel in the industry.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 30, 2025

But he always had a bad word for the movies.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 25, 2025

I knew she used a bad word, but it was one that I didn’t exactly know the meaning of.

From "Root Magic" by Eden Royce