as in prostitute
a woman who engages in sexual activities for money
the protagonist of the novel is a composite of several real-life courtesans who plied their trade among the decadent aristocracy
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Recent Examples of courtesan
Her character in the show, set in feudal Japan, is the highest-ranking courtesan in Izu, who is skilled in ways known only to the select few men who can afford her.
—
Matt Grobar, Deadline, 29 May 2025
Lakan later earns enough money to buy out the contract of even the most expensive courtesan at the Verdigris House.
—Kayti Burt, Time, 2 Apr. 2025
Think of the many historical instances of artificially easy companionship for powerful men, all the geisha and the courtesans.
—Jaron Lanier, The New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2025
Morena Baccarin plays Inara Serra, a licensed Companion (a high-status courtesan) who rents one of Serenity’s shuttles as her private quarters and place of business.
—Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for courtesan
Matt Grobar, Deadline, 29 May 2025
Lakan later earns enough money to buy out the contract of even the most expensive courtesan at the Verdigris House.
—Kayti Burt, Time, 2 Apr. 2025
Think of the many historical instances of artificially easy companionship for powerful men, all the geisha and the courtesans.
—Jaron Lanier, The New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2025
Morena Baccarin plays Inara Serra, a licensed Companion (a high-status courtesan) who rents one of Serenity’s shuttles as her private quarters and place of business.
—Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for courtesan
Recent Examples of Synonyms for courtesan
Noun
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While Kimmie worked as a dancer at the club, Jules (who serves as both Bellaire’s head of security and the boss at Norman’s secret strip club) forced her to be Roy's prostitute.—
Monica Mercuri,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
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They were infames lumped in with gladiators and prostitutes at the very bottom of the social ladder.—
Chris Schembra,
Rolling Stone,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Three other Scottish squad reinforcements -- lock Gregor Brown, hooker Ewan Ashman and prop Rory Sutherland -- were named on the bench.—
Nick Mulvenney,
Reuters,
21 July 2025
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Strip clubs, booze, hookers, blow, the whole nine yards.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
31 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Courtesan.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/courtesan. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
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