1
as in ornamental
a small object displayed for its attractiveness or interest
be careful of the fragile curios on the end tables
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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
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of curio
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.
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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
As a result, the film has an unconventional aesthetic — a bit like a tapestry of artistic curios that is stitched together.
—Tiffany Leigh, Forbes, 10 Sep. 2024
At the same time, and for all its zealous energy, the Who’s heady rock opera can’t help feeling like a curio, one that seems to come back around every three decades or so.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 28 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for curio 
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
As a result, the film has an unconventional aesthetic — a bit like a tapestry of artistic curios that is stitched together.
—Tiffany Leigh, Forbes, 10 Sep. 2024
At the same time, and for all its zealous energy, the Who’s heady rock opera can’t help feeling like a curio, one that seems to come back around every three decades or so.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 28 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for curio
Recent Examples of Synonyms for curio
Noun
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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
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However, with such a large group, almost any plant can be attacked, from houseplants to outdoor ornamentals.Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Aug. 2024
Noun
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Boulder's price reflects its quality, rarity, and distinctiveness.John Mariani, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024
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As Deadline previously reported, this was the perfect storm for the World Series to bounce back after a few record-low years, given the star power on both teams and the rarity of the marquee East Coast-West Coast matchup.Katie Campione, Deadline, 31 Oct. 2024
Noun
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Be warned, though: make some extra room in your suitcase for souvenirs, because this little city has a whole lot to offer.Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024
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Over the coming days, the owners of Four Seasons Total Landscaping did their patriotic duty and cashed in on their temporary notoriety, selling souvenirs to commemorate the fiasco; to Trump’s detractors, the debacle epitomized the clownish incompetence that had defined his presidency.Meredith Blake, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2024
Noun
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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
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Some have a hankering for the exotics from Europe, Asia, and beyond.Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 2 Aug. 2024
Noun
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For now, the pieces on display tell a story of dining that goes beyond pure novelty and kitsch to celebrate innovation, design evolution, and artistic influences across centuries and cultures.Anna Hezel, Curbed, 1 Nov. 2024
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Related Articles Macy’s said its parade will be the largest yet with more than 5,000 volunteers, 17 character balloons, 22 floats, 15 heritage and novelty balloons, more than 700 clowns, 11 marching bands and 10 performance groups.David Moin, WWD, 1 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Read on to shop our picks for the best stocking stuffers and mini delights for this holiday season—including sweet treats, cold-weather accessories, and charming knickknacks.Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 1 Nov. 2024
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Special Items Whether antiques, cherished knickknacks, or heirlooms, items that are very delicate and/or precious to the customer are typically items house cleaners won’t want to mess with in order to cut down the risk of damaging them.Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 5 Oct. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Curio.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/curio. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
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