as in sex
sexual union involving penetration of the vagina by the penis
female pandas are receptive to copulation for a short time once a year
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of copulation
Officers arrested Alexander Schecter, 26, at his Santa Monica residence on Friday and booked him on one count of rape by force, one count of forcible oral copulation, one count of robbery, one count of extortion and one count of battery, police said.
—
Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2026
He was booked on one count of rape by force, one count of forcible oral copulation, one count of robbery, one count of extortion and one count of battery and remains behind bars in lieu of $600,000 bail, police said.
—Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026
Bobbie Arthur Owen, 64, faces up to 39 years, four months in state prison after a Sacramento Superior Court jury on Monday convicted him of 22 counts, including lewd acts on a child, oral copulation and digital penetration with a foreign object.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 24 Mar. 2026
In Heated Rivalry, there is consummation aplenty, but the copulation escalates in its own competitive terms.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 26 Nov. 2025
The Valley overlaps geographically with the hippie homeland of San Francisco, Berkeley, and their environs, and there’s long been cross-pollination, if not orgiastic copulation, between the two spheres.
—Literary Hub, 21 Nov. 2025
Brian Peck pleaded no contest to a charge of oral copulation with a minor under 16 as well as a charge of performing a lewd act with a 14- or 15-year-old.
—Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 5 Nov. 2025
Joseph was originally charged with forcible oral copulation, false imprisonment, and assault.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 30 Sep. 2025
Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2026
He was booked on one count of rape by force, one count of forcible oral copulation, one count of robbery, one count of extortion and one count of battery and remains behind bars in lieu of $600,000 bail, police said.
—Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026
Bobbie Arthur Owen, 64, faces up to 39 years, four months in state prison after a Sacramento Superior Court jury on Monday convicted him of 22 counts, including lewd acts on a child, oral copulation and digital penetration with a foreign object.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 24 Mar. 2026
In Heated Rivalry, there is consummation aplenty, but the copulation escalates in its own competitive terms.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 26 Nov. 2025
The Valley overlaps geographically with the hippie homeland of San Francisco, Berkeley, and their environs, and there’s long been cross-pollination, if not orgiastic copulation, between the two spheres.
—Literary Hub, 21 Nov. 2025
Brian Peck pleaded no contest to a charge of oral copulation with a minor under 16 as well as a charge of performing a lewd act with a 14- or 15-year-old.
—Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 5 Nov. 2025
Joseph was originally charged with forcible oral copulation, false imprisonment, and assault.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 30 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for copulation
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
Noun
-
With Tim, Martha hadn’t often come during intercourse.—
Cassandra Neyenesch,
New Yorker,
29 Mar. 2026
-
The bigger concern usually isn’t intercourse.—
Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt,
CNN Money,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
This time of year is also a key period for feeding and mating, meaning snakes are actively searching for food like rodents and frogs, as well as potential mates.—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
30 Mar. 2026
-
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
Noun
-
For families Little children are catered to with cots, high chairs, roll-away beds, family swimming time in the pool, and the guest relations team offers movie nights for children in the room, soft toys, games and baby-sitting.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Enjoy relations with friends, groups, partners, siblings and neighbors.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
4 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Copulation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/copulation. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
