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
Elizabeth Kolbert,
New Yorker,
22 June 2026
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
Verb
While copulating, female praying mantises often kill their mates and eat them.
—
Elizabeth Kolbert,
New Yorker,
22 June 2026
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
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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.
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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.
Verb
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Bed bugs typically stay within a few feet of their food source, which is usually sleeping people or pets.
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There are some other features to keep in mind when considering a sleeping pad, air mattress or camping cot.
Noun
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In any number of species—elephant seals, red deer, rattlesnakes—the privilege of mating is settled by a fight.
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Both food and mating motivate humpback journeys in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
Noun
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The two counts of rape Høiby was convicted of did not involve intercourse.
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However, soy isoflavones didn’t appear to provide significant overall benefits for painful intercourse, hot flashes, night sweats, and psychological symptoms.
Noun
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Panini had produced more than 2 billion packs — each containing seven stickers — by the start of the tournament, said Jason Howarth, the senior vice president of marketing and athlete relations for Panini America.
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The two sides suffered broken relations for years.
Cite this Entry
“Copulating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/copulating. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
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