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
Ukiyo-e artists might paint unique portraits of famous courtesans or charming everyday tableaux on silk, to be mounted on scrolls for richer clients, and there are plenty of such stunners on display.
—
Lori Waxman, Chicago Tribune, 17 June 2025
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
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
Immerse yourself in the world of Violetta, a determined and famed courtesan, who abandons everything for love.
—Kirby Adams, The Courier-Journal, 17 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for courtesan
Lori Waxman, Chicago Tribune, 17 June 2025
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
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
Immerse yourself in the world of Violetta, a determined and famed courtesan, who abandons everything for love.
—Kirby Adams, The Courier-Journal, 17 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for courtesan
Recent Examples of Synonyms for courtesan
Noun
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Epstein pled guilty in Florida state court in 2008 to one count each of soliciting minors for prostitution and soliciting a prostitute.—
Zac Anderson,
USA Today,
26 Sep. 2025
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Prosecutors have insisted, however, that Diddy wasn’t paying prostitutes just to make blue movies in their own court filings.—
Victoria Bekiempis,
Vulture,
25 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 6 Oct. 2025.
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