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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.

"He loved every single soul, and people loved him, you know, and they never had a bad word to say about James."

From BBC • Dec. 31, 2025

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

From BBC • Dec. 23, 2025

I have not seen a bad word about my show, which I’m really grateful for because that’s all I wanted to be honest.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 20, 2025

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

From Los Angeles Times • May 30, 2025

I know the impression I’m leaving: that the word was a bad word, sordid in nature, that I’m too embarrassed to say it out loud to him.

From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse

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