as in prostitutes
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 courtesans
Annoyed with her nephew’s behavior, the Vicomte’s aunt, Madame de Rosemonde (Diane Kruger), mentors Isabelle and boldly transforms her into one of Paris’ leading courtesans.
—
Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 13 Nov. 2025
The victims are local teenagers, seized in roundups, while the courtesans, whose ghastly storytelling each night inspires the action, are like camp followers, the guards collaborators.
—David Wingrave, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 13 Nov. 2025
The victims are local teenagers, seized in roundups, while the courtesans, whose ghastly storytelling each night inspires the action, are like camp followers, the guards collaborators.
—David Wingrave, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for courtesans
Noun
-
Epstein’s young victims were also threatened and followed; they were grilled by his lawyers and disbelieved by prosecutors, who at times treated them like prostitutes, instead of victims.—
Julie K. Brown,
Miami Herald,
18 Dec. 2025
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Andrew had 40 prostitutes brought in the space of four days.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
15 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Well, yes, there were also hookers and tequila girls and whatever else was going on in those offices.—
Lacey Rose,
HollywoodReporter,
17 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Courtesans.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/courtesans. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.
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