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
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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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of curio
Yesterday’s Treasures sells an array of curios and ephemera, including local art, vintage postcards and old Provincetown publications.
—
Brett Sokol, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2024
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
See all Example Sentences for curio 
Brett Sokol, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2024
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
See all Example Sentences for curio
Recent Examples of Synonyms for curio
Noun
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While deicers are frequently necessary for safety reasons, these products can damage your plants, causing lawns and ornamentals to turn brown and die back.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
24 Jan. 2025
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These vertically growing junipers are used as privacy screens and backdrops for other ornamentals.—
Luke Miller,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 Jan. 2025
Noun
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In today’s landscape, dominated by NIL deals and the transfer portal, assembling such a cohesive unit from within is a rarity.—
Don Yaeger,
Forbes,
21 Jan. 2025
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Owing to its format, still a relative rarity theatrically in 2007, the three-hour feature was little seen after its 2007 premiere at the Venice Film Festival.—
Chris Morris,
Variety,
16 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Afterward, the shop is a treasure trove of sweet treats that double as perfect souvenirs.—
Jessica Macdonald,
Travel + Leisure,
20 Jan. 2025
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Pick up some Jekyll Island swag at one of the many souvenir stores, or visit Jekyll Market, a gourmet grocery store offering a butcher counter, fresh produce, and four on-site restaurants.—
Symiah Dorsey,
Southern Living,
19 Jan. 2025
Noun
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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
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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
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The novelty items are so popular that they are currently sold out.—
Danielle Jennings,
People.com,
23 Jan. 2025
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Turow has been known to sing lead vocals when the band plays the song, sometimes wearing an inexplicable novelty wig.—
Sarah Lyall,
New York Times,
23 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Old Town is also a good place to get souvenirs, with there being plenty of gift shops to get some Arizona knickknacks.—
Alexandra Hardle,
The Arizona Republic,
26 Nov. 2024
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While displays of photos, dollar bills and knickknacks above bottles of bourbon are pretty typical in neighborhood dives, the vibe of the corner bar at 412 N. Fifth St. in Kansas City, Kansas, is its own thing.—
Allison Dikanovic,
Kansas City Star,
2 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near curio
Cite this Entry
“Curio.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/curio. Accessed 4 Feb. 2025.
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