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
Jack Guy, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2025
Verb
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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People of all sexes and gender identities have a role to play.—
Beth Ann Mayer,
Parents,
20 Oct. 2025
-
The World Ultimate Athletics Championships, which debut next September (as a finals-only global, international competition), are excluding men’s triple jump and women’s hammer throw, as well as shot put and discus for both sexes.—
Liam Tharme,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The campaign reprises and expands the concept of the collection’s look book images unveiled earlier this year, which saw Michele’s tribe pictured on a bed, mainly sleeping but also occasionally playing the guitar, doing a crossword puzzle, taking selfies or having a snack.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
6 Nov. 2025
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Despite vacationing on a luxury yacht, Bronwyn spent the night sleeping on a pool chair on the deck rather than spending the night having to share a bed with Britani.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Instead, the authors think the males may have mounted the females , who were lying on their sides, and pressed down on the females’ tails during mating, accidentally breaking the neural spines.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
4 Nov. 2025
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Nashville Zoo has unlocked a successful mating rate by keeping cubs together at a young age, going from 20% to 40% to a 95% success rate as part of its effort to protect animal species.—
Craig Shoup,
Nashville Tennessean,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Between 13 to 84% of postmenopausal women experience vaginal pain during intercourse, with pelvic floor tension being one of the many reasons behind the discomfort.—
Jocelyn Solis-Moreira,
Flow Space,
4 Nov. 2025
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Others debated whether the ban should extend to pastors who molested 16- and 17-year-olds without having intercourse.—
Mike Hixenbaugh,
NBC news,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Some have responded by becoming more protectionist or looking to foster relations with China, which has tried to be seen as a promoter of free trade.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
3 Nov. 2025
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Citywide, Detroit's two at-large council members, Incumbents Coleman Young II and and Mary Waters, are running for reelection in a field that includes former City Council member Janee’ Ayers and James Harris, a community relations chief for the Detroit Fire Department.—
Detroit Free Press,
Freep.com,
3 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Copulating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/copulating. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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