copulate 1 of 2

as in to sleep
to engage in sexual intercourse the time of year when deer in the wild are likely to copulate

Synonyms & Similar Words

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copulation

2 of 2

noun

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 copulate
Verb
On his shirt, little hippos copulated against a pastel-blue cotton background. airmail.news, 7 Dec. 2024 Advertisement The lawsuit alleges Harris comforted the boy and during the encounter began forcibly orally copulating the teen. Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 19 Dec. 2024 Its first appearance in American print resulted from an 1846 Missouri court case in which a man stood accused of copulating with a horse. Dan Piepenbring, Harper's Magazine, 23 Sep. 2024 Advertisement All of the male apes at the sanctuary receive vasectomies, but that does not preclude them from copulating. Amy Kaufman, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2024 See All Example Sentences for copulate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for copulate
Verb
  • The child was sleeping between her 27-year-old mother and stepfather when the dog attacked her.
    Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 28 May 2025
  • June finally makes her way to Luke (O-T Fagbenle), who apparently hasn't slept since rescuing the handmaids at the gallows.
    Matt Cabral, EW.com, 27 May 2025
Noun
  • The reality, however, looks a lot different: People of all ages, racial and ethnic backgrounds, and sexes can and do develop them.
    Amy Norton, SELF, 27 May 2025
  • Rates for other sexes or gender identities are not available because that information is not included on death certificates, according to the state health department.
    Erica Zurek, Twin Cities, 19 May 2025
Noun
  • In that incident, Haley said Weinstein unexpectedly asked to meet her in his hotel room and began having unwanted intercourse with her.
    Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 30 Apr. 2025
  • For couples who are temporarily unable to engage in intercourse, there are still many ways to stay connected physically.
    CNN.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 24 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • American society and our relations with other societies are driven by the competition/conflict choice.
    Letters to the Editor, Orlando Sentinel, 4 Jan. 2025
  • Insiders describe relations between her and brother Santo as tense and combative.
    Mattia Dognini, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Jan. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Copulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/copulate. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.

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