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Antonyms for swear


Grammar : Verb
Spell : swair
Phonetic Transcription : swɛər



Definition of swear

Origin :
  • Old English swerian "take an oath" (class VI strong verb; past tense swor, past participle sworen), from Proto-Germanic *swarjan-, (cf. Old Saxon swerian, Old Norse sverja, Danish sverge, Old Frisian swera, Middle Dutch swaren, Old High German swerien, German schwören, Gothic swaren "to swear"), from PIE root *swer- (1) "to speak, talk, say" (cf. Old Church Slavonic svara "quarrel"). Also related to the second element in answer. The secondary sense of "use bad language" (early 15c.) developed from the notion of "invoke sacred names." Swear-word is American English colloquial from 1883. Swear off "desist as with a vow" is from 1898.
  • verb declare under oath
  • verb speak profanely; be vulgar
Example sentences :
  • He was then required to swear by all the gods, and by the dreaded Erinnys, that he had spoken truly.
  • Extract from : « Philothea » by Lydia Maria Child
  • I've come to see you for two minutes; I swear I mean you no harm.
  • Extract from : « Way of the Lawless » by Max Brand
  • He tried to swear Edith and me to secrecy, but we refused to be sworn.
  • Extract from : « Grace Harlowe's Return to Overton Campus » by Jessie Graham Flower
  • It don't do 'em any good, but just the same they all swear they're innocent.
  • Extract from : « Within the Law » by Marvin Dana
  • Will you swear that the message that went with it had nothing to do with the Lenni-Lenape?'
  • Extract from : « The Trail Book » by Mary Austin
  • But as to Samuel's return, that I can swear to, and so can Josiah.
  • Extract from : « Samantha Among the Brethren, Part 7. » by Josiah Allen's Wife (Marietta Holley)
  • How can you swear, then, that the prisoner made the assault?
  • Extract from : « The Underdog » by F. Hopkinson Smith
  • True; but I'll swear the language of my looks has been unequivocal, if that is what you mean.
  • Extract from : « Tales And Novels, Volume 5 (of 10) » by Maria Edgeworth
  • I swear that, laying aside all other ends, to that sole purpose I will devote my days.
  • Extract from : « Fair Margaret » by H. Rider Haggard
  • He wanted to curse and swear, and had to clap his hands on his mouth to prevent it.
  • Extract from : « The Works of Whittier, Volume VI (of VII) » by John Greenleaf Whittier

Synonyms for swear

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019