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swear
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- pronunciation:
- sweIr
- parts of speech:
- transitive verb, intransitive verb
- phrases:
- swear by, swear in, swear off
- features:
- Word Combinations (verb), Word Explorer, Grammatical Patterns
| part of speech: |
transitive verb |
| inflections: |
swears, swearing, swore, sworn |
| definition 1: |
to vow, declare, or affirm in the name of a deity or in the presence of a sacred object.
With her hand on the Bible, the witness swore that her testimony would be the truth.[verb + (that) + clause
]
The President swore to uphold the Constitution.[verb + infinitive
]
- synonyms:
- asseverate
- similar words:
- affirm, aver, avouch, avow, declare, depose, pledge, profess, promise, vow
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| definition 2: |
to vow, declare, or affirm in an earnest and solemn manner.
He swore that he would never lie to her again.[verb + (that) + clause
]
The two friends swore to stick together no matter what.[verb + infinitive
]
- synonyms:
- affirm, pledge, promise, vow
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| definition 3: |
to state under legal oath; testify.
On the stand, she swore that this was the man she had seen that night.[verb + (that) + clause
]
- synonyms:
- attest, testify
- similar words:
- depose
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| definition 4: |
to take (an oath) to give force to a promise, declaration, or the like.
The knight swore his oath of allegiance to the lord.- synonyms:
- pledge
- similar words:
- depose, take an oath, vow
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| definition 5: |
to administer an oath to.
The spy swore his military contact to secrecy.- similar words:
- adjure, bind, pledge
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| related words: |
covenant, insist, plight, testify, witness |
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| part of speech: |
intransitive verb |
| definition 1: |
to make a solemn and often binding declaration in the name of a deity or in the presence of a sacred object.
The witness cannot testify until he has sworn.- synonyms:
- vow
- similar words:
- covenant, declare, depose, pledge, promise
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| definition 2: |
to make an earnest and solemn declaration or vow.
They wouldn't believe her until she swore. |
| definition 3: |
to make a statement or give evidence under oath; testify (usu. fol. by "to").
She has sworn to the truth of the testimony.- synonyms:
- testify
- similar words:
- attest, depose, pledge
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| definition 4: |
to use profane or obscene language.
The car ahead of him stopped suddenly, and he swore as he slammed on the brakes.- synonyms:
- curse, cuss
- similar words:
- anathematize, blaspheme, damn
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| related words: |
witness |
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| phrase: |
swear by, swear in, swear off |
| derivation: |
swearer (n.) |
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