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
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Recent Examples of courted
In response, governments across the continent have courted foreign investment to help build their manufacturing base, including for mineral and metal refining.
—
Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 13 Mar. 2026
The wider Iranian conflict is particularly well documented, in part because Dubai has openly courted influencers and content creators to boost its image as an international business hub and travel destination.
—Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2026
The second was delivered when Tang in 2024 was courted by Arkansas, and the school felt compelled to retain him because of that one shining moment.
—Kansas City Star, 11 Mar. 2026
The Bears have been negotiating a plan for a possible new stadium in Arlington Heights, Illinois, and are also being courted by the State of Indiana for a possible new stadium in Hammond.
—Mikayla Price, CBS News, 10 Mar. 2026
Other presidents have courted campaign donations from billionaires.
—Daniel Weiner, Time, 9 Mar. 2026
In the meantime, Duke is being courted by Beckett (Tim Roth), Treasurer of the British Union of Fascists.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 5 Mar. 2026
The wideout said at the end of the season that retaining Jones would go a long way toward keeping him in Indianapolis, but now Pierce will be courted by the Colts and a slew of other receiver-needy teams likely willing to pay top dollar for his services.
—James Boyd, New York Times, 3 Mar. 2026
Travis famously courted Swift in perhaps the most public way possible—by shouting her out on his podcast.
—Hannah Malach, InStyle, 27 Feb. 2026
Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 13 Mar. 2026
The wider Iranian conflict is particularly well documented, in part because Dubai has openly courted influencers and content creators to boost its image as an international business hub and travel destination.
—Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2026
The second was delivered when Tang in 2024 was courted by Arkansas, and the school felt compelled to retain him because of that one shining moment.
—Kansas City Star, 11 Mar. 2026
The Bears have been negotiating a plan for a possible new stadium in Arlington Heights, Illinois, and are also being courted by the State of Indiana for a possible new stadium in Hammond.
—Mikayla Price, CBS News, 10 Mar. 2026
Other presidents have courted campaign donations from billionaires.
—Daniel Weiner, Time, 9 Mar. 2026
In the meantime, Duke is being courted by Beckett (Tim Roth), Treasurer of the British Union of Fascists.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 5 Mar. 2026
The wideout said at the end of the season that retaining Jones would go a long way toward keeping him in Indianapolis, but now Pierce will be courted by the Colts and a slew of other receiver-needy teams likely willing to pay top dollar for his services.
—James Boyd, New York Times, 3 Mar. 2026
Travis famously courted Swift in perhaps the most public way possible—by shouting her out on his podcast.
—Hannah Malach, InStyle, 27 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for courted
Verb
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The home was converted into apartments in 1951 but retained some of the original grandeur that probably wooed the Morgan clan, too (high ceilings and a wood-burning fireplace, in particular).—
Matthew Sedacca,
Curbed,
16 Mar. 2026
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The documents — released in response to the Epstein Files Transparency Act passed by Congress last year — reveal how Epstein wooed state and federal prosecutors, assistant district attorneys, sheriff’s deputies, probation officers, federal marshals and customs and border patrol officers.—
Julie K. Brown,
Miami Herald,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Kerr, a former Victoria’s Secret model, went on to wed billionaire Snap CEO Evan Spiegel, and the English actor subsequently dated and became engaged to pop star Katy Perry, only to split with her last summer after nearly a decade together.—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
19 Mar. 2026
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Before getting together with McCaffrey, Culpo dated former Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola, who lived in Rhode Island during his time on the team.—
Catherine Messier,
The Providence Journal,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Four Democrats running for governor called on their fellow candidates to boycott an upcoming debate at USC, reiterating concerns that the criteria used to determine who was invited to participate resulted in every prominent candidate of color being excluded from the forum.—
Seema Mehta,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Mar. 2026
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The victim’s daughter, Martina Lucas, said her father was invited to the location to help a friend with landscaping, which Hsu confirmed.—
Dennis Romero,
NBC news,
21 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Courted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/courted. Accessed 25 Mar. 2026.
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