From "Bet" to "Suss": 20 Creative Gen Z Swears

The Gen Z Guide to Swearing: 20 Must-Know Terms

Swearing has been around forever, but leave it to Gen Z to take it to a whole new level. We don't just throw around the same tired curse words our parents used—nah, we're way more creative with it. Our swearing isn't about just being offensive or shocking; it's about being witty, relatable, and straight-up hilarious. Whether we're dragging someone with a "bruh moment" or hyping them up with a quick "bet," our cussing game is more layered than people realize. We’ve taken slang, social media trends, and memes, and turned them into a whole new way of expressing ourselves.

Gen Z’s swears hit different because they're all about the vibe. We don’t just say words; we create moments. So, let’s dive into 20 of the best Gen Z swears that are taking over the internet and daily convos—and yes, they’re as iconic as you'd expect.

1. Bet

Used as a way to say “OK” or “For sure,” but also thrown out when you’re mad and ready to prove someone wrong.
Example: "You don’t think I can do it? Bet."

2. Yeet

Originally a verb for throwing something, “yeet” can also be a hype curse word. It’s what you say when you’re excited or absolutely done with something.
Example: "I’m yeeting this homework into the trash."

3. I’m dead

Not literally dead—this one means something is so funny or ridiculous, it killed you with laughter.
Example: "That meme? I’m dead."

4. Sheesh

It’s the modern-day “damn.” When something is impressive or just too much to handle, you let out a sheesh.
Example: "He really got that car? Sheesh."

5. Sksksksk

Popularized by VSCO girls, it’s the sound of a laugh or an exaggerated reaction. Usually typed out, but you can use it in real life too.
Example: "Did you see what she wore? Sksksksk!"

6. Bruh

An all-encompassing reaction to anything that’s ridiculous, surprising, or annoying. It’s kind of like a neutral curse.
Example: "You really ate the last slice of pizza? Bruh."

7. Cap

When someone’s lying or exaggerating, this is the Gen Z way of calling them out. No cap means no lie.
Example: "He said he’s got a million followers? That’s cap."

8. TF (The F*)**

This one’s been around, but Gen Z has made it quick and efficient. It’s a more subtle way of throwing out confusion or disbelief.
Example: "TF you talking about?"

9. Lit

Not just about fire anymore, "lit" means something is amazing or hype. A milder, positive curse.
Example: "That party was lit, bro."

10. No chill

Used when someone’s acting out of pocket or going way too far.
Example: "You really made fun of him in front of the whole class? You got no chill."

11. Lowkey/Highkey

Lowkey means secretly or downplayed, while highkey is full-on. Both can have an edgy, curse-like energy depending on the context.
Example: "I’m highkey pissed you didn’t invite me."

12. Salty

When someone’s bitter or mad about something, they’re salty. It’s a low-effort curse that gets the point across.
Example: "She’s salty because she didn’t get the lead role."

13. Send it

When you’re about to do something wild or risky, you send it. It’s like saying "screw it" before diving in.
Example: "You wanna jump off the cliff? Send it!"

14. Bussin

Usually referring to food, “bussin” means something is so good it’s almost unreal.
Example: "This burger is bussin, no cap."

15. On God

When you’re 100% serious or swearing by something, you say “on God.” It’s like putting your hand on a Bible but cooler.
Example: "I didn’t touch your phone, on God!"

16. Stan

It’s not an insult, but it’s an intense way to show you’re obsessed with someone or something—kind of like a positive curse.
Example: "We stan a queen like that."

17. Clown

Calling someone a clown is lowkey savage. It’s not super harsh, but it lets them know they’re embarrassing themselves.
Example: "You really thought she was into you? You’re such a clown."

18. Vibe check

If something or someone passes the vibe check, it’s all good. If not, expect them to get called out.
Example: "You really didn’t tip the server? You failed the vibe check, my dude."

19. Slaps

When something hits hard in a good way, it slaps. Often used for music or food, but works for almost anything.
Example: "That new song slaps!"

20. Wack

Old-school but still relevant, wack is what you say when something or someone is messed up or just straight-up weird.
Example: "You still talking about that? That’s wack."

At the end of the day, Gen Z doesn’t just curse for the sake of it. We’ve taken old-school swearing and made it our own, transforming it into something that's more meaningful, more connected to our culture, and definitely more fun. Our swears reflect the digital world we live in—fast-paced, ironic, and full of memes. Whether we're laughing over a “bruh moment” or using “yeet” as a whole mood, swearing for us is about being relatable, inclusive, and always on point.

We’ve shown that language isn’t just about rules, but about creativity and connection. Sure, it might confuse the boomers, but that’s part of the fun. These 20 swears are just a snapshot of how we’re shaping the way we talk. So, whether you're new to these terms or already using them in your everyday, one thing's for sure—Gen Z’s slang game is unmatched.

Stay connected with more insights from the culture that’s shaping the future of language at Woke Waves Magazine.

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