To swear at someone is to direct profanity or curses toward them in anger: He swore at the driver who cut him off.
The phrase implies verbal aggression—you're not just swearing in frustration but targeting someone with your words.
1. verbal attack — berate, Criticize severely and lengthily; yell (Speak very loudly); shout (Loud vocal outburst); scold (Rebuke harshly); rebuke · reproach · chide · admonish · castigate · lash out · rage · rant · denounce · harangue
2. profanity — curse, Invoked harm through words; cuss (Speak profanely); damn (Mild expletive); expletive (Profane emotional utterance); obscenity · vulgarity · profanity · blasphemy · oath · four-letter word · f-bomb · cursing · blue language · foul language
Opposites
verbal treatmentswear at ≠ praise Expression of approval; compliment · flatter · commend · extol · sweet-talk
emotional expression toward anotherswear at ≠ bless Confer favor upon; adore · cherish · dote on · sing the praises of · fawn over
Family
swear, swears, swearing, swore, sworn, swearer, forswear, forsworn
- Familiarity
- Top 50,000
- Profile
- Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Negative · Everyday, not technical · Rated PG