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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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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I'mPhaedra Trethan, presenting for your National Puppy Day pleasure these sleeping cuties.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
23 Mar. 2026
-
Daithí opens the door and unbuckles a still-sleeping Eloise, lifting her out of her car seat.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Brown advised releasing ladybugs for the cliff swallows to feast on, and using speakers to broadcast the birds’ mating call.—
Kurt Snibbe,
Oc Register,
21 Mar. 2026
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On average, humans tended to prefer the same mating calls that animals themselves did.—
Jackie Flynn Mogensen,
Scientific American,
19 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The bigger concern usually isn’t intercourse.—
Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt,
CNN Money,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Some speculation has existed about whether the basic physiological processes necessary for intercourse, particularly for men, might be compromised by microgravity.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Trump called on more Middle Eastern countries to sign the Abraham Accords, an agreement his administration reached in its first term which saw Israel normalize relations with some Arab nations including the UAE and Bahrain.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Roger Sherman is a former partner at CRL Associates, a leading government relations, public affairs, and strategic communications firm in Denver.—
Roger Sherman,
Denver Post,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Copulating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/copulating. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.
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