Dictionary 1. (v. i.) To affirm or utter a solemn declaration, with an appeal to God for the truth of what is affirmed; to make a promise, threat, or resolve on oath; also, to affirm solemnly by some sacred object, or one regarded as sacred, as the Bible, the Koran, etc.2. (v. i.) To give evidence on oath; as, to swear to the truth of a statement; he swore against the prisoner. 3. (v. i.) To make an appeal to God in an irreverent manner; to use the name of God or sacred things profanely; to call upon God in imprecation; to curse. 4. (v. t.) To utter or affirm with a solemn appeal to God for the truth of the declaration; to make (a promise, threat, or resolve) under oath. 5. (v. t.) To put to an oath; to cause to take an oath; to administer an oath to; -- often followed by in or into; as, to swear witnesses; to swear a jury; to swear in an officer; he was sworn into office. 6. (v. t.) To declare or charge upon oath; as, he swore treason against his friend. 7. (v. t.) To appeal to by an oath. Thesaurus abjure abuse acknowledge adjure administer an oath affirm agree allege and candle assert assert under oath asseverate assure attest aver avoid avouch avow bear witness believe in blaspheme book certify confess count on countersign covenant curse curse and swear cuss declare depone depose disclose dysphemize eschew execrate expletive express the belief forgo forsake forswear give evidence give up go off guarantee have confidence in imprecate insist kiss the book make a promise oath pledge plight profess promise put under oath put upon oath rely on renounce scatologize shun state swear by swear by bell swear in swear off swear the truth swear to swear to God swear to goodness talk dirty testify throw over troth trust in undertake underwrite use language vilify vouch vouchsafe vow warrant witness |