1. Profane or obscene expression usually of surprise or anger
   "His swearing could be heard from down the hall";
   - curse, curse word, expletive, oath, swearword, cuss [informal], cussword [N. Amer, informal]
    
2. A commitment to tell the truth (especially in a court of law); to lie under oath is to become subject to prosecution for perjury
   "Swearing to tell the truth is a standard practice in court";
   - oath
    
3. The use of language considered offensive, obscene or taboo
   "The movie carried a warning for swearing";
   - foul language, strong language, bad language

1. To declare or affirm solemnly and formally as true
   "Before God I swear I am innocent";
   - affirm, verify, assert, avow, aver
    
2. Utter obscenities or profanities
   "The drunken men were swearing loudly in the street";
   - curse, cuss [informal], blaspheme, imprecate, eff [Brit, informal], eff and blind [Brit]
    
3. Promise solemnly; take an oath
   "The new citizens swore allegiance to their adopted country"
    
4. Make a deposition; declare under oath
   "The witness swore before the court";
   - depose, depone [archaic]
    
5. Have faith or confidence in
   "I swear by this brand of coffee";
   - count, bet, depend, rely, bank, look, calculate, reckon

Derived forms: swearings

See also: swear off [informal]

Type of: commitment, declare, dedication, express, give tongue to, profanity, pronounce, trust, utter, verbalise [Brit], verbalize, vow

Encyclopedia: Swearing