courted

past tense of court
1
as in wooed
to act so as to make (something) more likely you're courting disaster if you keep playing with matches

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in dated
to go on dates that may eventually lead to marriage they courted for a year before getting married

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 courted Other designers—Valentino, Versace, Oscar de la Renta, to name a few—also successfully courted celebrities, but few had as much success as Armani. Belinda Luscombe, Time, 5 Sep. 2025 Swift’s dismay about a powerful ex became a fable for any girl courted by an older guy. Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2025 This is not the first time Carpenter has courted with controversy. Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025 Most prominent among them was Bowyer, who was courted to Resorts World by an independent host. David Amsden, Rolling Stone, 29 Aug. 2025 The brat sensation has been courted and mulled over by studios and independents alike. Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 27 Aug. 2025 Jump débuted in July, 1968—a decade after its major rivals, which courted older readers with political content. Matt Alt, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025 And, like Nigeria, Brazil has courted other nations to diversify its trade. semafor.com, 25 Aug. 2025 Koch and Soliday were not the sole legislators to be courted by utilities. Marissa Meador, IndyStar, 21 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for courted
Verb
  • Kalluk had wooed Chinook over the years, but their match did not produce any cubs.
    Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Aug. 2025
  • The octogenarian Spanish artist had been wooed by architects of the Civic Center (now named for Daley) to create a focal point for its plaza.
    Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The pair met in a lecture hall and dated for six years before marrying.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Radiocarbon dating, conducted in 1988 by three separate laboratories, dated the fabric between 1260 and 1390, said Andrea Nicolotti, a professor of the history of Christianity and churches at the University of Turin who was not involved with the study but had worked with Sarzeaud previously.
    Taylor Nicioli, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Before the incident, Erin allegedly invited her ex-husband, Simon Patterson, his parents, Don Patterson and Gail Patterson, and his aunt and uncle, Heather Wilkinson and Ian Wilkinson, to her home in Leongatha, Australia, to discuss a medical issue.
    Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2025
  • He was invited to Sandy Springs on a press trip and stayed at the Hyatt House Atlanta / Perimeter Center, which USA TODAY toured separately.
    Eve Chen, USA Today, 8 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Courted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/courted. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

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