1
2
as in courtyards
an open space wholly or partly enclosed (as by buildings or walls)
the art museum boasts a glass-sided court that is filled with an array of greenery and sculpture
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in tribunals
an assembly of persons for the administration of justice
this court is now called to order
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in judges
a public official having authority to decide questions of law
if it please the court, I'd like to approach the bench
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in woos
to act so as to make (something) more likely
you're courting disaster if you keep playing with matches
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in dates
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 courts
Joshua Sidorowicz, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
Yet Trump’s previous attempt to remove a Fed governor, Lisa Cook, has been tied up in courts.
—Christopher Rugaber, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026
Legal experts, including those at Venable LLP, have said the move could create a period of uncertainty around compliance with federal climate rules, even as existing state-level regulations remain in effect while courts consider legal challenges to the repeal.
—Chaewon Chung, Sacbee.com, 21 Apr. 2026
Multiple justices, including Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh, grilled the DOJ over the FCC’s apparent change in stance from proceedings in lower courts.
—Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 21 Apr. 2026
The legal proceedings in Panama are expected to take months, if not years, as prosecutors build their case and courts weigh complex evidence gathered across multiple jurisdictions.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2026
The courts are adjudicating those issues.
—Matt Peterson, CNBC, 21 Apr. 2026
The law, which takes effect July 1, will require courts to keep records of petitions for a legal name change from public view if the petitioner is younger than 18 at the time of filing.
—Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 21 Apr. 2026
Before his death, Mikhail had told sheriff’s deputies that he had been jumped in September by eight gun-wielding individuals, including Elijah, at the YMCA basketball courts near Oak Ridge High School.
—Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Apr. 2026
Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026
The ensemble cast includes Ellie Bamber as Eleanor’s sister, Beatrice, and Ed Suter as Edward’s loyal squire Richard, who courts Beatrice amid the escalating tragedy.
—Robert Lang, Deadline, 27 Dec. 2025
Fox News, which courts an older linear audience, has put new focus on its reach via YouTube, X, TikTok and Instagram, among other venues.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 15 Sep. 2025
Noun
But the move comes as scam texts impersonating toll agencies, courts and banks are surging nationwide.
—Joshua Sidorowicz, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
Yet Trump’s previous attempt to remove a Fed governor, Lisa Cook, has been tied up in courts.
—Christopher Rugaber, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026
Legal experts, including those at Venable LLP, have said the move could create a period of uncertainty around compliance with federal climate rules, even as existing state-level regulations remain in effect while courts consider legal challenges to the repeal.
—Chaewon Chung, Sacbee.com, 21 Apr. 2026
Multiple justices, including Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh, grilled the DOJ over the FCC’s apparent change in stance from proceedings in lower courts.
—Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 21 Apr. 2026
The legal proceedings in Panama are expected to take months, if not years, as prosecutors build their case and courts weigh complex evidence gathered across multiple jurisdictions.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2026
The courts are adjudicating those issues.
—Matt Peterson, CNBC, 21 Apr. 2026
The law, which takes effect July 1, will require courts to keep records of petitions for a legal name change from public view if the petitioner is younger than 18 at the time of filing.
—Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 21 Apr. 2026
Before his death, Mikhail had told sheriff’s deputies that he had been jumped in September by eight gun-wielding individuals, including Elijah, at the YMCA basketball courts near Oak Ridge High School.
—Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Apr. 2026
Verb
Biglari Holdings courts the MAHA movement The MAHA hire is the latest chapter in a long and turbulent saga for Biglari Holdings and its CEO Sardar Biglari, who took control of Steak ‘n Shake in 2008 when the chain was losing $100,000 a day.
—Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026
The ensemble cast includes Ellie Bamber as Eleanor’s sister, Beatrice, and Ed Suter as Edward’s loyal squire Richard, who courts Beatrice amid the escalating tragedy.
—Robert Lang, Deadline, 27 Dec. 2025
Fox News, which courts an older linear audience, has put new focus on its reach via YouTube, X, TikTok and Instagram, among other venues.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 15 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for courts
Noun
-
Nearby, textile stronghold Reguengos is famous for its handwoven rugs and blankets, while—further afield—the regional capital Évora is a Unesco World Heritage Site with medieval palaces and a vast gothic cathedral worthy of extended exploration.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 Apr. 2026
-
The forts, palaces, gardens, mosques, mausoleums, and even cities that Mughal rulers commissioned reflect their ambition and affluence as much as their tastes and sensibilities.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Today, fountains can be found across KC’s courtyards, plazas and boulevards in all shapes and sizes.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Inside, reclaimed wood and natural stone juxtapose the greenery climbing over terraces and spilling into courtyards.—
Travel + Leisure Editors,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But through a series of deft legal maneuvers—joined to the ever more ambitious self-concepts of some international legal tribunals—Mauritius was able to win a second legal victory at another international tribunal, for the law of the sea.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
2 Mar. 2026
-
The position will also represent the department in front of administrative tribunals such as the State Personnel Board and the California Department of Human Resources as well as assist the attorney general’s office on civil litigation matters.—
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
Updated February 24,
Sacbee.com,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
At the same time, Reisz said, lawyers are pushing judges who oversee the cases to act swiftly, since interminable procedural delays ensure people remain incarcerated.—
Sonja Sharp,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Apr. 2026
-
The remaining judges saw their caseloads balloon.—
Lauren Villagran,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
As the President insults allies, woos dictators, and spurns long-standing commitments, Rubio has to convince his counterparts that America will not entirely abandon its friends.—
Dexter Filkins,
New Yorker,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
And on April 19, congregants toured Pensacola’s Jewish cemetery, where the oldest tombstone dates from 1874 and many inscriptions are in Hebrew and German as well as English.—
Larry Luxner,
Sun Sentinel,
20 Apr. 2026
-
According to the World Rock Paper Scissors Association, the game of rock, paper, scissors dates to ancient China in the year 206 BCE, when the symbols were a frog, a snake and a centipede (frog beats centipede, centipede beats snake, and snake beats frog).—
Brian Cheung,
NBC news,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Battery storage facilities typically consist of a collection of shipping container-sized enclosures that, until recently, attracted relatively little notice.—
Bloomberg,
Oc Register,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Once healed, the animals are transferred to outdoor enclosures and aviaries to prepare for a reintroduction into their natural environment.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In 16th-century Italy, gamblers could wager on the election of civic magistrates and the outcome of papal conclaves.—
Parker Bach,
The Conversation,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Another major change concerned the High Judicial Council, which oversees magistrates’ appointments and disciplinary matters.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
23 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Courts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/courts. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
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