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
Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2025
Johnson exclaimed while recoiling, seemingly followed by inaudible expletives.
—Elizabeth Crisp, The Hill, 8 Apr. 2025
No expletive would cover the lazy passing in the build-up, Mads Hermansen straying into the wilderness, the lack of cohesion or urgency.
—George Caulkin, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
Still, in the days to come, his expletive will be repeated in millions of family rooms across the country as the Dow experienced its biggest wipeout since 2020.
—Joseph Coughlin, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for expletive
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Noun
The toddler giggles as Johnson grabs the steering wheel to flee the offending bird, throwing in an expletive on his way out.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2025
Johnson exclaimed while recoiling, seemingly followed by inaudible expletives.
—Elizabeth Crisp, The Hill, 8 Apr. 2025
No expletive would cover the lazy passing in the build-up, Mads Hermansen straying into the wilderness, the lack of cohesion or urgency.
—George Caulkin, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
Still, in the days to come, his expletive will be repeated in millions of family rooms across the country as the Dow experienced its biggest wipeout since 2020.
—Joseph Coughlin, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 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 18 Apr. 2025.
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