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
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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
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The bigger concern usually isn’t intercourse.—
Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt,
CNN Money,
4 Mar. 2026
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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
Noun
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After mating, females lay groups of eggs in the soil near plants.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Maas gave what amounts to one of the clearest explanations she’s offered on the mating bond system.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The subcommittee also heard testimony Friday from Fulton County Deputy District Attorney Jeff DiSantis, who handles media relations for Willis' office.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
15 Mar. 2026
-
The warnings of mass surveillance, the senior Administration official familiar with the negotiations told me, were a public-relations move designed to capitalize on widespread anti-ICE sentiment.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
New Yorker,
14 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Coitus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/coitus. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.
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