ex·ple·tive
ˈek-splə-tiv 
1
a
: a syllable, word, or phrase inserted to fill a vacancy (as in a sentence or a metrical line) without adding to the sense
especially
: a word (such as it in "make it clear which you prefer") that occupies the position of the subject or object of a verb in normal English word order and anticipates a subsequent word or phrase that supplies the needed meaningful content
b
: an exclamatory word or phrase
especially
: one that is obscene or profane
2
: one that serves to fill out or as a filling
1
: serving to fill up
expletive phrases
2
: marked by the use of expletives
Examples of expletive in a Sentence
Noun
Angry expletives filled the air.
Expletives were deleted from the transcript of their conversation.
Recent Examples on the Web
Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 June 2025
Video of the performance shows Morello appearing in front of a backdrop featuring a collage of expletives and images of Trump.
—Judy Kurtz, The Hill, 27 May 2025
Any of these phrases, plus an expletive or two, are the kinds of things you’re bound to hear from the lips of someone who’s about to get slammed by a bus or flattened like a pancake by a billboard.
—Kellina Moore, New York Times, 17 May 2025
Footage from a doorbell camera released to multiple media organizations shows an officer, later identified as Sebastian Alli, on a front porch speaking to people inside using several expletives.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for expletive
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Noun
In a post on the X account of Pirate Radio, 92.7 Greenville The Voice of The Pirate Nation, O’Sullivan is shown on video using more than a dozen expletives in the span of 47 seconds.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 June 2025
Video of the performance shows Morello appearing in front of a backdrop featuring a collage of expletives and images of Trump.
—Judy Kurtz, The Hill, 27 May 2025
Any of these phrases, plus an expletive or two, are the kinds of things you’re bound to hear from the lips of someone who’s about to get slammed by a bus or flattened like a pancake by a billboard.
—Kellina Moore, New York Times, 17 May 2025
Footage from a doorbell camera released to multiple media organizations shows an officer, later identified as Sebastian Alli, on a front porch speaking to people inside using several expletives.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for expletive
Cite this Entry
“Expletive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/expletive. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
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