slur

1 of 4

noun (1)

ˈslər How to pronounce slur (audio)
Synonyms of slurnext
1
a
: an insulting or disparaging remark or innuendo : aspersion
b
: a shaming or degrading effect : stain, stigma
2
: a blurred spot in printed matter : smudge

slur

2 of 4

verb (1)

slurred; slurring

transitive verb

1
: to cast aspersions on : disparage
slurred his reputation
2
: to make indistinct : obscure

intransitive verb

: to slip so as to cause a slur
—used of a sheet being printed

slur

3 of 4

verb (2)

slurred; slurring

transitive verb

1
a
: to slide or slip over without due mention, consideration, or emphasis
slurred over certain facts
b
: to perform hurriedly : skimp
Let him not slur his lesson …—Ralph Waldo Emerson
2
: to perform (successive tones of different pitch) in a smooth or connected manner
3
a
: to reduce, make a substitution for, or omit (sounds that would normally occur in an utterance)
b
: to utter with such reduction, substitution, or omission of sounds
his speech was slurred

intransitive verb

1
dialectal, chiefly England : slip, slide
2
: drag, shuffle

slur

4 of 4

noun (2)

1
a
: a curved line connecting notes to be sung to the same syllable or performed without a break
b
: the combination of two or more slurred tones
2
: a slurring manner of speech

Synonyms of slur

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Noun (1)

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of slur in a Sentence

Noun (1) a rowdy group of patrons was kicked out of the theater for shouting slurs your drunken behavior at the wedding has cast a slur on this family
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.
Noun
News of their separation had been made public earlier this year when LaBeouf was arrested in New Orleans for two charges of simple battery where he was eventually given probation despite allegedly also harassing locals and shouting homophobic slurs. — Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 7 Oct. 2026 With a picturesque ocean view, the engagement Hayley Lugo had dreamed of for years nearly fell apart when an angry woman started shouting racial slurs at the couple on Friday at Laguna Beach's Crescent Bay Point Park. — Kati Weis, CBS News, 6 Oct. 2026
Verb
The day manager greeted her at the club, still in his shiny vest but now well lubricated and nearly slurring his words. — Literary Hub, 9 Oct. 2026 Officers spoke with Perez and observed signs of intoxication, including the odor of alcohol on Perez, red and watery eyes and slurred speech, according to the DA’s Office. — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for slur

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

obsolete English dialect slur thin mud, from Middle English sloor; akin to Middle High German slier mud

Verb (2)

probably from Low German slurrn to shuffle; akin to Middle English sloor mud

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1609, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb (1)

1660, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Verb (2)

1660, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun (2)

circa 1801, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of slur was in 1609

Rhymes for slur

See All Rhymes for slur

Browse Nearby Words

slup
slur
slurb
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Slur.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/slur. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

slur

1 of 4 verb
ˈslər How to pronounce slur (audio)
slurred; slurring
1
a
: to slide or slip over without proper mention, consideration, or emphasis
b
: to perform hurriedly : skimp
2
: to sing or play successive musical notes of different pitch in a smooth or connected manner
3
: to speak unclearly

slur

2 of 4 noun
1
a
: a curved line connecting notes to be sung or played without a break
b
: the combination of two or more slurred tones
2
: a slurring manner of speech

slur

3 of 4 verb
slurred; slurring
1
: to make an insulting remark about : disparage
2
: to make unclear : obscure

slur

4 of 4 noun
1
a
: damaging criticism
b
: dishonor entry 1 sense 1, shame
2
: a blurred spot in printed matter : smudge
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