Phrases
the N-word or less commonly the n-word
used euphemistically to refer to the word nigger
A suburban Philadelphia school expelled "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" from its curriculum over the book's overuse of the N-word.David K. Li

Examples of N-word in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
After a pause, Chase says the N-word live on the air. Saba Hamedy, NBC News, 17 Feb. 2025 Sometimes, the late night show courts it, like in the case of Chevy Chase, who purposely said the N-word live on air during SNL’s debut season. Shannon Carlin, TIME, 15 Feb. 2025 Video posted by an unknown account on Facebook obtained by local community members showed what appeared to be the demonstrators from Friday using the N-word and other derogatory language to refer to approaching residents who were coming to confront them. Alaa Elassar, CNN, 8 Feb. 2025 Kendrick responds to that feedback on the album version, which trades his smooth vocals on the single version for a throatier delivery and cuts off the third verse for a clunky and misinformed skit about the etymology of the N-word. Stephen Kearse, Vulture, 4 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for N-word 

Word History

First Known Use

1985, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of N-word was in 1985

Dictionary Entries Near N-word

Cite this Entry

“N-word.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/N-word. Accessed 23 Feb. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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