Definition of coursenext
1
as in procedure
a way of acting or proceeding the president's usual course has been to obtain advice from several people and then make up his own mind

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Relevance
2
as in class
a series of lectures on a subject a course on American history from the colonial period to the present

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3
4
as in route
the direction along which something or someone moves the river follows a southeasterly course to the ocean

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5

course

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to track
to go after or on the track of after coursing the conspirators for months, the federal agents closed in and made the arrests

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in to traverse
to make one's way through, across, or over once the threat of terrorism became apparent, fighter jets began coursing that corridor on a daily basis

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3

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 course
Noun
Over the course of his tenure at MCA, Katleman represented talent such as Jackie Gleason and was involved in signing Clark Gable and Howard Keel. Greg Evans, Deadline, 9 July 2026 Van Grack said Hearn has spent decades voluntarily maintaining National Park Service property that the canoeists used as a training course along the Potomac River. Michael Kunzelman, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
Verb
The same love of equality and freedom that courses through the Declaration motivated her white great-grandmother to campaign for suffrage and her African American grandfather to found a chapter of the NAACP in the Jim Crow South. Michael Kazin, The Atlantic, 3 June 2026 And about the obsession that courses through dozens of countries on the continent. Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 3 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for course
Recent Examples of Synonyms for course
Noun
  • The 18-year-old underwent an internal brace procedure – a step below Tommy John surgery – in the same left elbow in May 2025.
    Greg Dudek, Boston Herald, 7 July 2026
  • The medical consultant reviews policies and procedures for the California Medical Assistance Program.
    Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 7 July 2026
Noun
  • As a result, most of the country’s top players come from the banlieues, the working-class immigrant suburbs surrounding Paris.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2026
  • The Royals expect to sign Yehl — and hopefully the remainder of their 2026 draft class.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 12 July 2026
Noun
  • For many steps in the process at Hyundai’s sprawling Georgia auto factory, vehicles take shape without a person in sight.
    Zachary Hansen, AJC.com, 6 July 2026
  • But even by the standards of the state’s direct democracy process, the 2026 election stands out.
    Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
Noun
  • Owners who live close to a quality shop, have open schedules and don’t mind handling drop-offs and pickups may find the traditional route just as effective at a lower price.
    Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2026
  • The Islamic Republic of Iran Railways said teams were working to repair the damage and restore the route, and that other arrangements are being made to transport passengers to Mashhad via road, IRIB said.
    Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 9 July 2026
Noun
  • The brightest things in the picture—that bit of blue heaven and the red-and-white house across the canal—are also the most distant.
    Susan Tallman, The Atlantic, 11 July 2026
  • Researchers say the technology could support emergency response operations, temporary bridges, floating markets, event stages, and other on-demand infrastructure for rivers, canals, lakes, and coastal areas.
    Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 10 July 2026
Verb
  • Volzke began her PhD on elephant seals in 2021, just as Neil was becoming widely known – so his growth, both in size and fame, feels like it’s tracked alongside her degree on his species.
    Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
  • Federal officials have found that a person’s movements on a website with a computer mouse and items left in an online shopping cart can be tracked and used by retailers to personalize the cost of items.
    Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 11 July 2026
Verb
  • Tehran meanwhile has tried to strengthen its leverage by saying crew members must gain permission to traverse the strait along routes approved by its officials.
    Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 7 July 2026
  • The first Spanish expedition to California in 1542 was followed about 220 years later when Gaspar de Portolá and Franciscan monk Junipero Serra traversed the coastal lands.
    Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 3 July 2026
Verb
  • When White Sox starter Davis Martin threw a wild pitch during Contreras’ at-bat, Seigler broke for home as catcher Kyle Teel raced to corral the ball and back, hoping to beat the runner to the plate.
    Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 9 July 2026
  • However, Tolbert raced over and made a leaping catch to negate extra bases.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 9 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Course.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/course. Accessed 13 Jul. 2026.

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