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
The colorful artworks largely depict the sensual hedonistic lifestyles of city dwellers including merchants, courtesans and kabuki actors.
—
Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
The workers at Sheri’s Ranch, who call themselves courtesans, were given a new contract in December that would give the brothel control over their intellectual property and power of attorney.
—Jessica Hill, Fortune, 13 Feb. 2026
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
Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
The workers at Sheri’s Ranch, who call themselves courtesans, were given a new contract in December that would give the brothel control over their intellectual property and power of attorney.
—Jessica Hill, Fortune, 13 Feb. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for courtesans
Noun
-
Under colonial rule hijras were accused of acting as male prostitutes and of kidnapping and castrating children to grow their community.—
Charles Preston,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
28 May 2026
-
Since 1971, Robert Hansen, an unassuming 44-year-old Anchorage bakery owner and married father of two, had been abducting dancers and prostitutes, flying them to the backcountry on his Piper Super Cub plane and then releasing them and—armed with a gun and hunting knife—stalking them like wild prey.—
Johnny Dodd,
PEOPLE,
22 May 2026
Noun
-
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 Jun. 2026.
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