cussing
Speaking profane words
Cussing is the act of using profane or vulgar language, synonymous with cursing or swearing.
The term is informal and somewhat folksy, more common in American English and regional dialects.
Someone who cusses a lot might be described as having a cussing habit, and a parent might scold a child for cussing in front of grandma.
To cuss someone out is to berate them with profanity.
Taboo expletives
- expletivesVulgar exclamations
- four-letter wordsBrief vulgar expressions
- dirty wordsProfane or vulgar expressions
- bad wordsOffensive or taboo vocabulary
foul language · strong language · swearing · cuss words · potty mouth · salty language · locker room talk · damn
Indecent word or act
lewd · filthy · raunchy · blue language · earthy · gutter talk · toilet humor · anatomical
Insulting group label
- epithetDescriptive tag for someone
- name-callingHurling insults at others
- verbal abuseHarmful speech targeting someone
- put-downDisparaging remark
derogatory · pejorative · invective · vituperation · trash talk · mudslinging · diss · disparagement
Irreverence toward the sacred
- goddamnProfane intensifier expressing frustration
- damnationEternal punishment decree
- hellUnderworld of suffering
- damnedCondemned to hell
sacrilege · profane · oath · imprecation · Jesus Christ · God · holy · minced oaths
Not allowed
- inappropriateNot suitable or fitting
- improperLacking in propriety
- indecentOffensive to accepted standards
- offensiveCausing displeasure or attack-oriented
unacceptable · impolite · crude · uncouth · indelicate · unseemly · tasteless · crass
Intense hostile emotion
- rageIntense, violent anger
- furyIntense violent anger
- frustrationDispleasure from blocked efforts
- outburstSudden emotional release
temper · irritation · annoyance · exasperation · venting · fuming · seething · heated
swear words
Taboo expletives
- expletivesVulgar exclamations
- four-letter wordsBrief vulgar expressions
- dirty wordsProfane or vulgar expressions
bad words · foul language · strong language · swearing · cuss words · potty mouth · salty language · locker room talk · damn · hell
obscenity
Indecent word or act
ribald · lewd · filthy · raunchy · blue language · earthy · gutter talk · toilet humor · anatomical · bodily functions
slur
Insulting group label
- epithetDescriptive tag for someone
- name-callingHurling insults at others
- verbal abuseHarmful speech targeting someone
put-down · derogatory · pejorative · invective · vituperation · trash talk · mudslinging · diss · disparagement · belittling
blasphemy
Irreverence toward the sacred
- goddamnProfane intensifier expressing frustration
- damnationEternal punishment decree
- hellUnderworld of suffering
damned · sacrilege · profane · oath · imprecation · Jesus Christ · God · holy · minced oaths · gosh
forbidden
Not allowed
- inappropriateNot suitable or fitting
- improperLacking in propriety
- indecentOffensive to accepted standards
offensive · unacceptable · impolite · crude · uncouth · indelicate · unseemly · tasteless · crass · coarse
anger
Intense hostile emotion
- rageIntense, violent anger
- furyIntense violent anger
- frustrationDispleasure from blocked efforts
outburst · temper · irritation · annoyance · exasperation · venting · fuming · seething · heated · explosive
- teen behavioreye rolling, back talk, backtalk, door slamming, moodiness
- cursescurses, hex, hexes, jinx, jinxes
- locker room talkcrude jokes, dirty jokes, trash talk, smack talk, bragging
- adult humorblue humor, dirty jokes, dirty joke, bawdy humor, bawdy jokes
- flawsfaults, defect, flaw, blemish, flaws
- hostilityanimosity, hostility, antagonism, belligerence, malice
cussingminding one's language
Controlling what one says
euphemizing · formal speech · clean language · mincing words
cussingblessing
Prayer seeking divine favor
praying · giving thanks · praising · benediction · saying grace
cussingcomplimenting
Voicing approval or admiration
praising · flattering · blessing · sweet-talking · giving thanks
- cussing outScolding with profanity