dating 1 of 2

Definition of datingnext
as in romance
the series of social engagements shared by a couple looking to get married their dating had been going on for so long that she was starting to wonder if she'd ever take that trip down the aisle

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dating

2 of 2

verb

present participle of date
1
as in accompanying
to go on a social engagement with I don't want to date him—I'd rather just be friends

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2
as in courting
to go on dates that may eventually lead to marriage we dated for two years before we got engaged

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of dating
Noun
The discovery and dating of Monte Verde, which was initially mired in controversy, appeared to put that to rest. Adithi Ramakrishnan, Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2026 The discovery and dating of Monte Verde, which was initially mired in controversy, appeared to put that to rest. ABC News, 19 Mar. 2026 The news comes after a complicated few months for The Bachelor, which was once one of TV’s most popular reality TV dating shows. Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 19 Mar. 2026 There is an aspect of online dating that lends itself to storytelling. Literary Hub, 13 Mar. 2026 Krystal Wilkinson, a British human resource management professor, has written about finding that children and child care are considered far more legitimate reasons for placing boundaries on work than engaging in hobbies, fitness or dating. Peter McGraw, The Conversation, 6 Mar. 2026 While Mi-rae chooses to devote most of her free time to real-life dating, two characters end the series as Boyfriend on Demand subscribers. Kayti Burt, Time, 6 Mar. 2026 Similar to the radiocarbon dating of fossils, the level of metabolic deterioration in moss can reveal to botanists when the plant was harvested or moved. Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 5 Mar. 2026 Affordable dating in Austin isn’t about cutting corners. Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 28 Feb. 2026
Verb
Welniak added that her brother, Jack, is dating Tennessee pitcher Sage Mardjetko, the former Lemont standout. Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026 The claim brings the accusations against Paul to three, including the 2023 altercation and another, allegedly in February, which became public a week before her season of the ABC reality dating show was set to air. Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026 No dating advice has ever debunked the delusions of straight, single women quite so swiftly. Olivia Petter, Vogue, 25 Mar. 2026 He's also said dozens of times, dating to at least 2011, that Iran can't obtain a nuclear weapon. Arkansas Online, 24 Mar. 2026 According to UsWeekly, these two have been dating since the summer. Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 24 Mar. 2026 Lavie — who authorities say also goes by the names Mia Ventura, Shoshana and Shana — had allegedly used dating apps and social media platforms to target older men across the county for theft. Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2026 Duwaji, who moved to New York City in 2021 and met Mamdani on a dating app, is an artist whose work has previously appeared in The Cut, the BBC, Vogue and The New Yorker. Gloria Pazmino, CNN Money, 23 Mar. 2026 But according to Rob Shuter the duo is not dating. Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 23 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dating
Noun
  • Swift leaned into the soft romance of her outfit with an undone half-up hairstyle with her signature bangs brushed to the side for a dreamy effect.
    Kara Nesvig, Allure, 27 Mar. 2026
  • The post marks a classic social media hard launch — the deliberate, public-facing debut of a new romance.
    Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 27 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Several of Byrne’s longtime collaborators are also accompanying him on stage.
    Justin Klawans, TheWeek, 19 Mar. 2026
  • Howell made a similar visit a year later, accompanying two other union employees to the Magic City strip club in Atlanta.
    Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 17 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The red pigeon in Barnes’ throuple was presumed to be female because it had never been seen courting.
    Lisa Gutierrez March 13, Kansas City Star, 13 Mar. 2026
  • The United Arab Emirates, along with many other countries, has mobilised air defenses as attacks have continued into the second week of the conflict and rushed to reassure citizens and international investors, whom the country has been courting for years.
    Kai Nicol-Schwarz,Emma Graham, CNBC, 13 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • That includes host plants for caterpillars, mature trees, animal garden, dead trees or other areas where wildlife can engage in courtship behavior, mate and then bear and raise their young.
    Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 15 Mar. 2026
  • There is a bit of cultural significance in a part of traditional Filipino courtship, called harana.
    Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Wilson, who was born in Jamaica and lived in North Lauderdale, was a religious man who put effort into his relationships and was willing to right his wrongs, said those attending the service.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2026
  • In terms of the festival, over 45 wineries will be attending.
    Carmela Karcher, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Dating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dating. Accessed 29 Mar. 2026.

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