swear

1 of 2

verb

swore ˈswȯr How to pronounce swear (audio) ; sworn ˈswȯrn How to pronounce swear (audio) ; swearing

transitive verb

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

intransitive verb

1
: to take an oath
2
: to use profane or obscene language : curse
swearer noun

swear

2 of 2

noun

Phrases
swear by
: to place great confidence in
swears by his mechanic
swear for
: to give assurance for : guarantee
swear off
: to vow to abstain from : renounce
swear off smoking

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
Verb
Some swear by nasal washes to remove dust, pollen, and other debris. Nora Colomer, Fox News, 18 Mar. 2024 Commerce editor Sarah Han swears by Helix mattresses. Sarah Madaus, Allure, 14 Mar. 2024 Miller swears by Terra Nova’s Life Drink, a green powder antioxidant drink that contains all sorts of health-boosting ingredients, from medicinal mushrooms to digestive enzymes. Hannah Coates, Glamour, 13 Mar. 2024 In person, the actor also spoke exuberantly with his hands and swore a lot. Imogen West-Knights, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2024 At a Friday morning news conference, Turner said he was disappointed the case would not move forward and sworn testimony would not be taken by the political appointees. Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Mar. 2024 Fans moan and swear and beg in his comment sections. Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 8 Mar. 2024 Blurring Skin Tint Licensed esthetician and makeup artist Ivey Rogers personally swears by the Fenty Beauty Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint. Danielle Sinay, Glamour, 8 Mar. 2024 Then last month the Nicolas Maduro regime swore swift retaliation after learning the jet had been seized on orders of the U.S. government and flown to South Florida, where it was parked at the executive airport in Opa-locka. Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2024
Noun
July Carry-On Pro, $325 Mystery Ranch Our editor in chief swears by this handsome 45 L Mystery Ranch Mission Rover for many reasons. Krista Simmons, Sunset Magazine, 27 Feb. 2024 Chicago was one of three cities to come in fourth place, with an average of 17 daily swears. Hannah Kirby, Journal Sentinel, 9 Aug. 2023 Inland Istria While first-time visitors to Istria, easily one of the best places to visit in Croatia, make a beeline for the coast, those in the know swear by the peninsula's green interior. Anja Mutic, Travel + Leisure, 9 Apr. 2023 Podiatrists recommend them, travelers love them, and even nurses on TikTok swear by them. Kristine Solomon, Travel + Leisure, 6 July 2023 Business professionals and lawyers who have experience using a Standing Neutral swear by their effectiveness. Kate Vitasek, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2023 Skincare influencers on social media platforms like TikTok swear by the brand, which has helped to propel it to cult popularity since 2020. Jacqueline Saguin, Good Housekeeping, 19 Apr. 2023 The exfiltration supports a double extortion model that requires a payment not just for a decryption key but also for a pinky swear that criminals won’t make the data public. Dan Goodin, Ars Technica, 7 Apr. 2022 While first-time visitors to Istria make a beeline for the coast, those in the know swear by the peninsula's green interior. Anja Mutic, Travel + Leisure, 27 Nov. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'swear.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English sweren, from Old English swerian; akin to Old High German swerien to swear and perhaps to Old Church Slavonic svarŭ quarrel

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of swear was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near swear

Cite this Entry

“Swear.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/swear. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

swear

verb
ˈswa(ə)r,
ˈswe(ə)r
swore
ˈswō(ə)r,
ˈswȯ(ə)r
; sworn
ˈswō(ə)rn,
ˈswȯ(ə)rn
; swearing
1
: to make a statement or promise under oath
2
a
: to state as true under oath
a sworn statement
b
: to state or promise strongly or sincerely
I swear that I was there
3
a
: to give an oath to
the witness was sworn
b
: to bind by an oath
swore us to secrecy
4
: to take an oath
5
: to use bad or vulgar language
swearer noun

Legal Definition

swear

verb
swore; sworn; swearing

transitive verb

1
: to utter or take solemnly
swear an oath
2
a
: to assert as true or promise under oath
a sworn affidavit
b
: to assert or promise emphatically or earnestly
swore to uphold the constitution
3
a
: to put to an oath
b
: to bind by an oath

intransitive verb

: to take an oath
Etymology

Verb

Old English swerian

More from Merriam-Webster on swear

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