swearword
Bleep-worthy spoken term
A swearword is a word considered vulgar, profane, or offensive—the kind you're told not to say in polite company.
Swearwords typically involve taboo subjects: sex, excrement, religion, or slurs against groups.
Children learn early which words count as swearwords, though the category shifts across time and culture.
Also spelled as two words: swear word.
Invoked harm through words
- expletiveProfane emotional utterance
- obscenityIndecent word or act
- cussSpeak profanely
- blasphemyIrreverence toward the sacred
vulgar · foul · coarse · crude · indecent · lewd · filth · smut
Mild expletive
- shitVulgar term for feces
- hellUnderworld of suffering
- bastardChild of unmarried parents
- crapWorthless material or nonsense
ass · bloody · bugger · bollocks · piss · sod · wanker · git
Insulting group label
- epithetDescriptive tag for someone
- pejorativeTerm expressing disapproval
- derogatoryExpressing criticism or disrespect
- tauntInsulting provocation
jeer · name-calling · put-down · abuse · invective · affront · denigration · slander
Not allowed
- censoredSuppressed from publication
- unmentionableToo shameful to discuss
- bleepedObscured by tone
- expungedOfficially removed completely
unspeakable · unprintable · off-limits · banned · restricted · sensitive · stigmatized · verboten
Repair by weaving
- heckMild frustrated exclamation
- dangSoftened expletive
- shootDischarge or capture
- fudgeCreamy cooked confection
freaking · gosh · golly · jeez · crikey · blimey · sugar · frick
Sudden emotional release
- oathFormal binding promise
- interjectionEmotional outcry word class
- ejaculationSudden expulsion or outcry
- utteranceSpoken expression aloud
cry · yell · vent · release · expression · reaction · frustration · anger
curse
Invoked harm through words
blasphemy · vulgar · foul · coarse · crude · indecent · lewd · filth · smut · bawdy
damn
Mild expletive
crap · ass · bloody · bugger · bollocks · piss · sod · wanker · git · bitch
slur
Insulting group label
- epithetDescriptive tag for someone
- pejorativeTerm expressing disapproval
- derogatoryExpressing criticism or disrespect
taunt · jeer · name-calling · put-down · abuse · invective · affront · denigration · slander · smear
forbidden
Not allowed
- censoredSuppressed from publication
- unmentionableToo shameful to discuss
- bleepedObscured by tone
expunged · unspeakable · unprintable · off-limits · banned · restricted · sensitive · stigmatized · verboten · impolite
darn
Repair by weaving
fudge · freaking · gosh · golly · jeez · crikey · blimey · sugar · frick · flip
outburst
Sudden emotional release
- oathFormal binding promise
- interjectionEmotional outcry word class
- ejaculationSudden expulsion or outcry
utterance · cry · yell · vent · release · expression · reaction · frustration · anger · pain
swearwordeuphemism
Mild substitute for bluntness
clean language · decency · formal language · politeness · civil discourse
swearwordblessing
Prayer seeking divine favor
term of endearment · benediction · compliment · praise · sweet nothing