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
-
Bed bugs typically stay within a few feet of their food source, which is usually sleeping people or pets.—
Nafeesah Allen,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 June 2026
-
There are some other features to keep in mind when considering a sleeping pad, air mattress or camping cot.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
19 June 2026
Noun
-
In any number of species—elephant seals, red deer, rattlesnakes—the privilege of mating is settled by a fight.—
Elizabeth Kolbert,
New Yorker,
22 June 2026
-
Both food and mating motivate humpback journeys in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
19 June 2026
Noun
-
The two counts of rape Høiby was convicted of did not involve intercourse.—
Gwladys Fouche,
USA Today,
15 June 2026
-
However, soy isoflavones didn’t appear to provide significant overall benefits for painful intercourse, hot flashes, night sweats, and psychological symptoms.—
Sarah Garone,
Health,
22 May 2026
Noun
-
Marcos, who currently holds the rotating presidency of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, led leaders of the 11-nation bloc in commemorating the 35th anniversary of ASEAN's diplomatic relations with Russia.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
20 June 2026
-
Marcos, who currently holds the rotating presidency of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, led leaders of the 11-nation bloc in commemorating the 35th anniversary of ASEAN’s diplomatic relations with Russia.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
20 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Copulating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/copulating. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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