as in sex
sexual union involving penetration of the vagina by the penis
our Puritan forebears imposed severe penalties for copulating outside of marriage
Synonyms & Similar Words
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as in sleeping
to engage in sexual intercourse
the time of year when deer in the wild are likely to copulate
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of copulating
Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 2 Apr. 2026
After copulating, the two males lay immobile on the seafloor as the female swam away.
—Jack Guy, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2025
Verb
And finally, wouldn’t being near-perfectly still for an hour make a pair of copulating octopuses ridiculously exposed to predators?
—Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 2 Apr. 2026
After copulating, the two males lay immobile on the seafloor as the female swam away.
—Jack Guy, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for copulating
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
Verb
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Typical orthopedic shoulder pain usually occurs after an injury, overuse, sleeping awkwardly, lifting something heavy or repetitive motion, according to the doctor.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
6 Apr. 2026
-
One of these rooms was used for sleeping and contained a niche where a lamp was placed, as reported by Heritage Daily.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Even amputated mating arms behaved the same way, responding to progesterone but not to other molecules.—
Cody Cottier,
Scientific American,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Are octopuses selective in their mating?—
Jacek Krywko,
ArsTechnica,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Wilzig told the Miami Herald in a 2002 profile that intercourse and naked bodies were beautiful and natural, and no one should be embarrassed by talking about the topic.—
Madeleine Marr,
Miami Herald,
6 Apr. 2026
-
With Tim, Martha hadn’t often come during intercourse.—
Cassandra Neyenesch,
New Yorker,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Negotiations between Israel and Lebanon are expected to begin Tuesday in Washington, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun’s office has said, after Israel's surprise announcement authorizing talks despite the countries lack of official relations.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 Apr. 2026
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Israel and Lebanon will have direct negotiations Negotiations between Israel and Lebanon are expected to begin Tuesday in Washington, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun’s office said Friday, after Israel’s surprise announcement authorizing talks despite the countries lack of official relations.—
Munir Ahmed,
Fortune,
11 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Copulating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/copulating. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
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