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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.

See Examples For:

She said they were "friendly and welcoming" and that no-one had a bad word to say about them.

From BBC ● Feb. 24, 2026

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

Anthony Khan, a 35-year-old neighbour who said he knew Mr Cravitz "all my life", added: "He was friendly with everybody – he did not have a bad word with anybody."

From BBC ● Oct. 5, 2025

"Make sure the first three letters don't spell a bad word," warns journalist Ash Sarkar of the left-wing media site Novara Media.

From BBC ● Aug. 2, 2025

He says “drama” like it’s a bad word.

From "The Fourteenth Goldfish" by Jennifer L. Holm

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