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View synonyms for swear

swear

[ swair ]

verb (used without object)

, swore [swawr] or (Archaic) sware [swair]; sworn [swawrn]; swear·ing.
  1. to make a solemn declaration or affirmation by some sacred being or object, as a deity or the Bible.

    Synonyms: avow, declare, affirm

  2. to bind oneself by oath.
  3. to give evidence or make a statement on oath.

    Synonyms: testify, depose

  4. to use profane oaths or language:

    Don't swear in front of the children.

    Synonyms: imprecate



verb (used with object)

, swore [swawr] or (Archaic) sware [swair]; sworn [swawrn]; swear·ing.
  1. to declare, affirm, attest, etc., by swearing by a deity, some sacred object, etc.
  2. to affirm, assert, or say with solemn earnestness.
  3. to promise or undertake on oath or in a solemn manner; vow.
  4. to testify or state on oath:

    He swore it on the witness stand.

  5. to take (an oath), as in order to give solemnity or force to a declaration, promise, etc.
  6. to bind by an oath:

    to swear someone to secrecy.

noun

  1. Informal. a profane or obscene word; curse word:

    If we said a swear, Mom made us put a quarter in the jar.

    Heads-up—this movie trailer is full of swears and is NSFW.

verb phrase

  1. to secure (a warrant for arrest) by making an accusation under oath.
    1. to name (a sacred being or thing) as one's witness or guarantee in swearing.
    2. Informal. to have great confidence in; rely on:

      He swears by his dentist.

    3. to have certain knowledge of:

      I thought I saw him leaving, but I couldn't swear by it.

  2. to admit to office or service by administering an oath:

    A new president will be sworn in today.

  3. to promise or resolve to give up something:

    I've decided to swear off the internet one day a week.

    Have you sworn off red meat?

swear

/ swɛə /

verb

  1. to declare or affirm (a statement) as true, esp by invoking a deity, etc, as witness
  2. foll by by
    1. to invoke (a deity, etc) by name as a witness or guarantee to an oath
    2. to trust implicitly; have complete confidence (in)
  3. introften foll byat to curse, blaspheme, or use swearwords
  4. when tr, may take a clause as object or an infinitive to promise solemnly on oath; vow
  5. tr to assert or affirm with great emphasis or earnestness
  6. intr to give evidence or make any statement or solemn declaration on oath
  7. to take an oath in order to add force or solemnity to (a statement or declaration)
  8. swear blind informal.
    swear blind to assert emphatically


noun

  1. a period of swearing

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Derived Forms

  • ˈswearer, noun

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Other Words From

  • swear·er noun
  • swear·ing·ly adverb
  • re·swear verb reswore resworn reswearing

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Word History and Origins

Origin of swear1

First recorded before 900; Middle English sweren, Old English swerian; cognate with German schwören, Old Norse sverja; akin to Gothic swaran “to swear”; answer

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Word History and Origins

Origin of swear1

Old English swerian; related to Old Norse sverja, Gothic swaran, Old Frisian swera, German schwören

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Synonym Study

See curse.

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Example Sentences

I swear, if he pees on another bush during a family walk, I just might lose it.

Letlow, a 41-year-old congressman-elect from Louisiana, died after contracting covid-19 late last year, days before he was scheduled to be sworn in as a member of Congress.

He swears he can see his influence on Leftwich on the field.

The officer did not charge either man, but later that day Karau went before a Fairfax County magistrate and swore out a misdemeanor assault charge against Chastain.

Among the possibilities raised were adding sworn police officers who could make arrests, ambassadors who could help riders navigate the system rather than write tickets and homeless outreach workers.

Nine new Republican senators will swear their oaths of office.

Or should you swear it off in the name of better cholesterol?

Opposing fans often taunt him, screaming, “Swear in a minute, he's going to swear in a minute.”

I swear we all went into this because we like people and most importantly the idea of healing you is very rewarding.

It just shocked me, I swear I would have a chauffeur if I could ever afford one.

Three hours ago you had never seen me, and now you swear my indifference will kill you.

I swear (and he did swear hard enough, if an oath could do it, to satisfy any man) I've had nothing to do with it.

To swear by his name is not to do sacrifice; and is therefore to perform another part of his worship.

The men said unto her, we will be blameless of this thine oath which thou hast made us swear.

To swear in suitable circumstances is the duty of all; but it is the privilege of those only who are in covenant with God.

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