Advertisement

View synonyms for slur

slur

[ slur ]

verb (used with object)

, slurred, slur·ring.
  1. to pass over lightly or without due mention or consideration (often followed by over ):

    The report slurred over her contribution to the enterprise.

    Synonyms: gloss, disregard, slight

  2. to pronounce (a syllable, word, etc.) indistinctly by combining, reducing, or omitting sounds, as in hurried or careless utterance.
  3. to cast aspersions on; calumniate; disparage; depreciate:

    The candidate was viciously slurred by his opponent.

    Synonyms: asperse, slander

  4. Music.
    1. to sing to a single syllable or play without a break (two or more tones of different pitch).
    2. to mark with a slur.
  5. Chiefly British Dialect. to smirch, sully, or stain.


verb (used without object)

, slurred, slur·ring.
  1. to read, speak, or sing hurriedly and carelessly.

noun

  1. a slurred utterance or sound.
  2. a disparaging remark or a slight: an ethnic slur against people of Irish descent.

    quick to take offense at a slur;

    an ethnic slur against people of Irish descent.

    Synonyms: affront, insult, innuendo

    Antonyms: compliment

  3. a blot or stain, as upon reputation:

    a slur on his good name.

    Synonyms: disgrace, stigma

  4. Music.
    1. the combination of two or more tones of different pitch, sung to a single syllable or played without a break.
    2. a curved mark indicating this.
  5. Printing. a spot that is blurred or unclear as a result of paper, plate, or blanket slippage.

slur

/ slɜː /

verb

  1. often foll by over to treat superficially, hastily, or without due deliberation; gloss
  2. also intr to pronounce or utter (words, etc) indistinctly
  3. to speak disparagingly of or cast aspersions on
  4. music to execute (a melodic interval of two or more notes) smoothly, as in legato performance
  5. also intr to blur or smear
  6. archaic.
    to stain or smear; sully


noun

  1. an indistinct sound or utterance
  2. a slighting remark; aspersion
  3. a stain or disgrace, as upon one's reputation; stigma
  4. music
    1. a performance or execution of a melodic interval of two or more notes in a part
    2. the curved line ( or ) indicating this
  5. a blur or smear

Discover More

Other Words From

  • un·slurred adjective

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of slur1

First recorded in 1595–1605; of multiple origins; in the sense “pass over without due consideration,” compare Low German slurren “to shuffle,” Dutch sleuren “to trail, drag”; in the sense “blot or stain,” compare Middle Dutch slore ( Dutch sloor ) “sluttish woman”

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of slur1

C15: probably from Middle Low German; compare Middle Low German slūren to drag, trail, Middle Dutch sloren, Dutch sleuren

Discover More

Example Sentences

Elections Director Richard Barron has said that in the run-up to Election Day, workers were harassed by phone and on social media, where people repeatedly hurled racial slurs at them.

In the run-up to Election Day, Barron said, workers have also been harassed by phone and on social media, where people have repeatedly hurled racial slurs at them.

Allegations included caste-based slurs and jokes, bullying, discriminatory hiring practices, bias in peer reviews, and sexual harassment, said executive director Thenmozhi Soundararajan.

Condemning the commercial use of an obvious racial slur is the lowest-hanging fruit.

He asked me whether it offended me that his chain was named what some might consider an ethnic slur.

From Ozy

Indeed, a common racial slur in Dutch is, precisely, roetmop, which means soot mop.

A sexual slur toward a man is considered just a personal insult.

One can only imagine the reaction had a GOP operative made the exact same slur against the spouse of a Democratic candidate.

One slur is not good, while another is fine because the league has not lost any money in a consumer boycott of the name.

During a Patroons playoff game, Richardson had screamed profanities and a gay slur at hecklers.

Perhaps I shall slur over the word "romantic" in the letter, but not without consulting you.

Joyce winced at what seemed to her a direct slur upon her father's memory, but knew it was just.

In one case, where Mark has a slur on physicians, Luke eliminates it.

The sneer in his voice and his slur on her father brought a bright flush of anger to Tessibel's face.

But the decision of the Court cast a slur on his name, and on that of his second wife.

Advertisement

Related Words

Word of the Day

inveterate

[in-vet-er-it ]

Meaning and examples

Start each day with the Word of the Day in your inbox!

By clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


slunkslurb