1
as in women
an adult female human being
"ladies and gentlemen, please observe closely," said the magician
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in wives
a female partner in a marriage
in public the husband was frequently seen holding hands with his lady
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in duchesses
a woman of high birth or social position
the ladies of the royal court were all dressed extravagantly
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in girlfriends
a female romantic companion
when do we get to meet your new lady?
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 ladies
Young ladies going up against biological men — biological men — there is no excuse for that.
—
Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 2 Apr. 2026
Apparently before the season started filming, Brittany invited all the ladies and their kids over to go swimming.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 2 Apr. 2026
The lunch-time meet-and-greet could have been any other ladies-who-lunch event in the wealthy Atlanta neighborhood.
—Patricia Murphy, AJC.com, 1 Apr. 2026
The ladies partook in conversations discussing inclusivity and female power, signed autographs and posed for selfies.
—Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2026
The father of three and owner of crop underwriting firm Noem Insurance lavished some $25,000 on these shapely ladies over the course of their relationship, the Mail reported.
—Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 1 Apr. 2026
All ladies could see their names appear on an Emmy nomination list.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 31 Mar. 2026
Sequins and satin, boots and suits—the ladies were making their fashionably fictional counterparts proud.
—Marci Robin, Allure, 31 Mar. 2026
But the miniature quartz for ladies, at 26 mm, is probably $4,500.
—Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 30 Mar. 2026
Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 2 Apr. 2026
Apparently before the season started filming, Brittany invited all the ladies and their kids over to go swimming.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 2 Apr. 2026
The lunch-time meet-and-greet could have been any other ladies-who-lunch event in the wealthy Atlanta neighborhood.
—Patricia Murphy, AJC.com, 1 Apr. 2026
The ladies partook in conversations discussing inclusivity and female power, signed autographs and posed for selfies.
—Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2026
The father of three and owner of crop underwriting firm Noem Insurance lavished some $25,000 on these shapely ladies over the course of their relationship, the Mail reported.
—Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 1 Apr. 2026
All ladies could see their names appear on an Emmy nomination list.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 31 Mar. 2026
Sequins and satin, boots and suits—the ladies were making their fashionably fictional counterparts proud.
—Marci Robin, Allure, 31 Mar. 2026
But the miniature quartz for ladies, at 26 mm, is probably $4,500.
—Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 30 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ladies
Noun
-
The first of these—a cult favorite among writers, particularly youngish women writers—put Lemann on the map as a singular stylist, capable of crystalline insights into the miscreants and oddballs of the American South and great bursts of unrestrained sentiment.—
Brandy Jensen,
New Yorker,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Choose from a variety of styles for men and women.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Essian kids grow up in extended matrilineal families, with no husbands or wives.—
Stephanie Burt,
New Yorker,
1 Apr. 2026
-
So are their girlfriends and wives, who support their beaus in stadiums and at home.—
Kate Hogan,
PEOPLE,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Russell denied involvement, saying one of Johnson’s girlfriends may have set him up.—
Meredith Colias-Pete,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Swift has a lot of close girlfriends to choose from, from Selena Gomez to Gigi Hadid, Brittany Mahomes, future sister-in-law Kylie Kelce, and the Haim sisters.—
Rachel Burchfield,
InStyle,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The International Olympic Committee announces a new policy for women's sports, mandating gene screening to ensure only biological females compete, citing fairness and safety.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Of the 11 whales present — mostly adult females — all members helped support the mother and lift the newborn.—
Samantha Agate,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
There was also a shift toward elaborate descriptions of what society matrons wore to events, and again, women were believed to be more able to provide these verbal illustrations.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Violence against women and girls was a talking point last week after Tottenham fans criticised Roberto De Zerbi’s appointment following his historic backing of Greenwood.—
Cerys Jones,
New York Times,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Colorado legislators have put our state’s anti-discrimination law on a collision course with Title IX, the federal law that guarantees women and girls an equal opportunity to compete in sports, and female student athletes are paying the consequences.—
Lisa Frizell,
Denver Post,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The gals’ night together becomes an illuminating, madcap journey, transforming their feud into friendship.—
Courtney Howard,
Variety,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Throughout the documentary, which features talking head commentary, copious archival footage (even as kids, Mayeri and Hall adored recording their antics on home video), and new interviews, the X-Cetra gals speak openly and honestly about their friendships and the early years that fostered them.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The queens competing in Season 18 included Athena Dion, Briar Blush, Ciara Myst, Darlene Mitchell, DD Fuego, Discord Addams, Jane Don’t, Juicy Love Dion, Kenya Pleaser, Mandy Mango, Mia Starr, Myki Meeks, Nini Coco, and Vita VonTesse Starr.—
Armando Tinoco,
Deadline,
26 Mar. 2026
-
The wooden board is fabricated from curly maple and the knights, pawns, bishops and queens — all positioned as if a game has begun — are made of ceramics.—
Ray Mark Rinaldi,
Denver Post,
23 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ladies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ladies. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
