as in sex
sexual union involving penetration of the vagina by the penis
the act of coitus is the natural method by which conception occurs
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Recent Examples of coitus
What this means for me, practically speaking, is that the director wants a close-up of my face as my character Joe is deep in dissociative reverie mid-coitus.
—
Sophie Ansari, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025
When coitus occurs, it’s scored by unctuous music.
—Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2025
Paul, upon learning of their coitus, does not take it well.
—Esther Zuckerman, IndieWire, 19 May 2025
Adding to these racial fetish undertones is a Black family servant whose coitus with Lucy’s soon-to-be sister-in-law (a white woman with box braids) is also constantly on display, leaving her to pleasure herself when he’s called away.
—Nicholas Bell, SPIN, 31 July 2024
On occasion, the coitus took place at the volunteers’ homes.
—Gretchen Reynolds, Anchorage Daily News, 16 Feb. 2023
One thing leads to another — just because returning screenwriter Reid Carolin says so — and Mike’s performance for Max ends with the two of them in bed, after an apparent act of off-camera coitus.
—Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post, 9 Feb. 2023
And there is a conversation about the necessity of being flexible during bunk-bed coitus.
—Darren Franich, EW.com, 7 Sep. 2022
Chris Jericho had to introduce two new members of the Jericho Appreciation Society (Sammy and Tay), narrate near-coitus between Sammy and Tay, explain what a Suzuki Gun was and promote a six-man tag team match all in one promo.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes, 16 June 2022
Sophie Ansari, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025
When coitus occurs, it’s scored by unctuous music.
—Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2025
Paul, upon learning of their coitus, does not take it well.
—Esther Zuckerman, IndieWire, 19 May 2025
Adding to these racial fetish undertones is a Black family servant whose coitus with Lucy’s soon-to-be sister-in-law (a white woman with box braids) is also constantly on display, leaving her to pleasure herself when he’s called away.
—Nicholas Bell, SPIN, 31 July 2024
On occasion, the coitus took place at the volunteers’ homes.
—Gretchen Reynolds, Anchorage Daily News, 16 Feb. 2023
One thing leads to another — just because returning screenwriter Reid Carolin says so — and Mike’s performance for Max ends with the two of them in bed, after an apparent act of off-camera coitus.
—Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post, 9 Feb. 2023
And there is a conversation about the necessity of being flexible during bunk-bed coitus.
—Darren Franich, EW.com, 7 Sep. 2022
Chris Jericho had to introduce two new members of the Jericho Appreciation Society (Sammy and Tay), narrate near-coitus between Sammy and Tay, explain what a Suzuki Gun was and promote a six-man tag team match all in one promo.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes, 16 June 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for coitus
Noun
-
The findings, from 1,592 U.S. citizens of different ages, sexes, races and incomes, were collected between Dec. 20 and Dec. 22.—
Nicholas Rice,
PEOPLE,
28 Dec. 2025
-
On his first day in office, Mr. Trump signed an executive order that declared the federal government would recognize only two immutable sexes: male and female.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
18 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Some speculation has existed about whether the basic physiological processes necessary for intercourse, particularly for men, might be compromised by microgravity.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 Feb. 2026
-
On top of that, one of Colvin’s classmates, Jeremiah Reeves, had recently been arrested for having intercourse with a white woman.—
Essence,
Essence,
15 Jan. 2026
Noun
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This year, with a bumper crop of the strange parrot’s favorite berries prompting a rare enthusiasm for mating, those working to save the birds hope for a record number of chicks in February, which would move the kakapo closer to defying what was not long ago believed to be certain extinction.—
Charlotte Graham-McLay,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Feb. 2026
-
There’s a courtship, then a mating, and then the pair raise their offspring.—
Joan Morris,
Mercury News,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The National Association Against iGaming supports the Colorado bill because the group opposes online casino games, said Oliver Barie, the organization’s government relations director.—
Noelle Phillips,
Denver Post,
21 Feb. 2026
-
While Don specializes in operations, Joey places a key emphasis on investor relations.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Coitus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/coitus. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.
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