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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After receiving medication, the preschooler appeared to be sleeping peacefully on his mother's chest.—
Nicky Zizaza,
CBS News,
8 June 2026
-
The sleeping alcove offers more privacy than the typical studio due to floor-to-ceiling built-ins.—
Matthew Sedacca,
Curbed,
8 June 2026
Noun
-
Unsual mating rituals are emerging in modern times.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
2 June 2026
-
Male bowerbirds are notorious for their complex mating rituals.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
2 June 2026
Noun
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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.—
Sarah Garone,
Health,
22 May 2026
-
Your Sex Drive in Your 60s and Beyond Close to 50% of women over the age of 60 suffer from vaginal dryness, decreased vaginal lubrication, pain during intercourse and trouble, or inability, to reach an orgasm.—
Lauryn Higgins,
Flow Space,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
The public relations professional and veteran civil rights activist raised enough money in small contributions to qualify for public financing of her campaign.—
Kevin Rennie,
Hartford Courant,
6 June 2026
-
Much of Armenia’s opposition is still dominated by pro-Russia groups and many are also against normalizing relations with Azerbaijan.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Copulating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/copulating. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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