1
as in ornamental
a small object displayed for its attractiveness or interest
be careful of the fragile curios on the end tables
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in rarity
something strange or unusual that is an object of interest
a museum's collection of curios brought back from the Far East by 19th-century traders
Synonyms & Similar Words
Examples Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of curio
Usually, a movie shot like this is either a curio or a catastrophe, too practiced and deliberate to ever be spontaneous or convincing.
—
Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 27 Sep. 2024
This includes using pebbled leather wallpaper, Bolivian lacquered hardwood for the bars, crush-velvet furnishings, gold and Italian marble flooring, and bookshelves lined with trinkets, curios, and coveted Assouline books.
—Tiffany Leigh, Travel + Leisure, 15 Oct. 2024
The result is a seasonal roundup of few marquee releases, but plenty of obsession-worthy curios: comebacks from the Cure, Bon Iver, Laura Marling, Stephen Malkmus, Japandroids, Kim Deal, and Iceage’s Elias Rønnenfelt; rapid-fire reloads from the Smile, Charli XCX, and Mount Eerie.
—Pitchfork, 2 Oct. 2024
It’s filled with a range of curios and fine art pieces, including special collections of American, Asian, and Oceanic art.
—Todd Plummer, Vogue, 13 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for curio 
Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 27 Sep. 2024
This includes using pebbled leather wallpaper, Bolivian lacquered hardwood for the bars, crush-velvet furnishings, gold and Italian marble flooring, and bookshelves lined with trinkets, curios, and coveted Assouline books.
—Tiffany Leigh, Travel + Leisure, 15 Oct. 2024
The result is a seasonal roundup of few marquee releases, but plenty of obsession-worthy curios: comebacks from the Cure, Bon Iver, Laura Marling, Stephen Malkmus, Japandroids, Kim Deal, and Iceage’s Elias Rønnenfelt; rapid-fire reloads from the Smile, Charli XCX, and Mount Eerie.
—Pitchfork, 2 Oct. 2024
It’s filled with a range of curios and fine art pieces, including special collections of American, Asian, and Oceanic art.
—Todd Plummer, Vogue, 13 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for curio
Recent Examples of Synonyms for curio
Noun
-
Other foxtail plants were not in the photo but nearby ornamentals appeared to be suffering from excessive water too.Tom MacCubbin, Orlando Sentinel, 23 Nov. 2024
-
The three most common types of eucalyptus were brought there because people wanted them for either ornamentals or for timber trees.Jennie Rothenberg Gritz, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Sep. 2024
Noun
-
Warren's public statement in agreement with Trump on Thursday was a rarity, as the senior senator is known as a progressive and ideological opposite to the president-elect.Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024
-
While staunchly remaining independent and committing to staying 100% Mexican-owned, Clase Azul has become quite the business over the past three decades—despite its structure being a rarity today.Chloe Sorvino, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
Shop small and seek out food, art, crafts, jewelry, clothing, and souvenirs made by Hawaiians, not made to look like they were made by Hawaiians.Chadd Scott, Forbes, 15 Dec. 2024
-
For a more interactive experience, locals rave about The Agora Borealis Marketplace, a one-stop shop for unique fine art and souvenirs.Symiah Dorsey, Southern Living, 14 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
Plants like trumpet honeysuckle, bee balm, and hummingbird sage provide much more nectar than hybrids and exotics.Marley Malenfant, Austin American-Statesman, 20 Mar. 2024
-
Alex Hirschi leapfrogged auto-journalism conventions by building a vast social media audience of 120 million followers by showcasing some of the most innovative exotics in existence.Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 18 Aug. 2024
Noun
-
What was once a niche novelty has exploded into a pervasive and alarming threat.Steven Smith, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
-
Back then, Newcastle shovelled eight goals past Sheffield United, beat Manchester City when that was still a novelty, and got the better of Burnley before the perennial champions of France came to Tyneside and tasted bitter humiliation.George Caulkin, The Athletic, 27 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
Shelves are lined with clocks, baubles, bottles and other charming knickknacks that give off an old-world feel.Madalyn Mendoza, Axios, 13 Dec. 2024
-
The kids decide to rummage through his old stuff, knickknacks from his international travels.EW.com, EW.com, 19 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near curio
Cite this Entry
“Curio.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/curio. Accessed 5 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share