1
: to utter or take solemnly (an oath)
2
a
: to assert as true or promise under oath
a sworn affidavit
swore to uphold the Constitution
b
: to assert or promise emphatically or earnestly
swore he'd study harder next time
3
a
: to put to an oath : administer an oath to
b
: to bind by an oath
swore them to secrecy
4
obsolete
: to invoke the name of (a sacred being) in an oath
5
: to bring into a specified state by swearing
swore his life away
swearer
noun
: oath, swear word
Synonyms
Examples of swear in a Sentence
Verb
He swore revenge on the killers.
I swear to God, I'll kill him if he comes back.
Don't swear in front of the children.
I do solemnly swear to tell the whole truth.
Noun
I heard him say a swear.
can't you express your frustration without using swears?
Recent Examples on the Web
Jonathan Horwitz, Orange County Register, 6 Nov. 2024
Kodak previously addressed his relationship with drugs and opioids over the past couple of months, swearing them off for good.
—Marc Griffin, VIBE.com, 5 Nov. 2024
Katie Lockhart, Robb Report, 11 Oct. 2024
Biggest takeaways from 'Hard Knocks' with Bears: An HBO show with no swears?
—Jim Reineking, USA TODAY, 6 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for swear 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Verb
With longtime Councilmember Carol Warren not running again, the winner of the District 4 race between Mike Montgomery and John Douglas Warren guarantees one new person will be sworn onto the Stanton council.
—Jonathan Horwitz, Orange County Register, 6 Nov. 2024
Kodak previously addressed his relationship with drugs and opioids over the past couple of months, swearing them off for good.
—Marc Griffin, VIBE.com, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
There’s a heavy focus on Asia’s first One&Only spa, featuring a green caviar body exfoliation and an Augustinus Bader facial celebs swear by.
—Katie Lockhart, Robb Report, 11 Oct. 2024
Biggest takeaways from 'Hard Knocks' with Bears: An HBO show with no swears?
—Jim Reineking, USA TODAY, 6 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for swear
Dictionary Entries Near swear
Cite this Entry
“Swear.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/swear. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
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