courts 1 of 2

plural of court
1
as in palaces
the residence of a ruler Hampton Court was the imposing residence of King Henry VIII

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
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
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

courts

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of court
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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of courts
Noun
Prosecutors appealed the ruling, and a three-judge panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit — which oversees lower courts in Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana — affirmed the decision, 2-1, in June 2017, a further win for Dassey. Kelli Arseneau, jsonline.com, 1 Oct. 2025 While the Oscar winner officially filed for divorce in Nashville courts on Tuesday, news of their separation came to light the day prior. Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025 During the last federal government partial shutdown in 2019, the Executive Office for Immigration Review, which is funded by Congress and oversees immigration courts, limited which cases would be heard by a judge. Noe Padilla, IndyStar, 1 Oct. 2025 All of a sudden, clubs opened, courts opened. Adam Crafton, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025 India doesn’t have explicitly uniform intellectual property rights like the US, but courts have routinely sided with stars alleging such violations. Rachyl Jones, semafor.com, 1 Oct. 2025 Observers also expect the Department of Justice to raise justiciability concerns asserting that courts should not second-guess presidential security judgments. Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025 Civil commitment laws are governed by states, and courts have established constitutional protections over decades. Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2025 Trump has leaned heavily on the courts during his second term to challenge media outlets, but as of Wednesday night, the president’s legal team has not brought a new lawsuit against ABC, for predictable reasons, according to experts. Christian Datoc, The Washington Examiner, 25 Sep. 2025
Verb
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
  • Visitors enjoy touring the city's royal palaces and observation decks with sweeping views, and sampling culinary delights, as profiled in a recent Travel + Leisure video series.
    Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 29 Sep. 2025
  • The Jahanara chandelier sandal, along with two slingback versions and an embroidered pump, were inspired by Indian palaces and golden sunsets.
    Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Uzbek artist Feruza Kholkhujaeva filled courtyards with potted plants that will slowly die, a portrait of grief.
    Dada Jovanovic, ABC News, 28 Sep. 2025
  • Ford said its team used large-scale 3D printing that is available at the new world headquarters to produce the detailed center courtyards of the clay model.
    Jamie L. LaReau, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Such action could include an arms embargo, sanctions and more support for international tribunals investigating Israel's possible crimes.
    Mariam Khan, ABC News, 22 Sep. 2025
  • Only the Journalists' Association is authorized to evaluate the work of professionals in the field, not social media tribunals.
    Megan Cartwright, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The performance drew praise for its elegance and control, with judges highlighting Efron’s growing command of ballroom technique.
    Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Federal judges aren’t required to follow guidelines.
    Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The Old Farmers' Almanac provides first and last frost dates for select cities across the state.
    Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 26 Sep. 2025
  • The art deco–style building dates to the 1930s, and the property has seven acres of pretty landscaped gardens leading down to an infinity pool that overlooks the harbor.
    Chloe Arrojado, AFAR Media, 26 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The layout features two outdoor patios, private event spaces, a spacious main dining room with a dedicated bar.
    Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 26 Sep. 2025
  • Add a pop of seasonal color For many homeowners, mums are the go-to for fall porches and patios.
    Brendel Clark, Freep.com, 25 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • North Carolina’s Speaker of the House, Republican Destin Hall, sponsored the Pretrial Integrity Act that in 2023 limited magistrates’ ability to set conditions of release.
    Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 17 Sep. 2025
  • On June 1, commemorating one year since his unconstitutional reelection, Bukele appeared on national television from the National Theater, surrounded by his deputies, his loyal magistrates and prosecutor, and many soldiers.
    Óscar Martínez & Carlos Martínez, The Dial, 16 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • His menu invites you to look with him back at his origins and ancestral tradition while celebrating the gifts of his current home.
    Abbey Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 26 Sep. 2025
  • The exhibition doesn’t offer one answer, but rather invites reflection on which emotions, memories, and impulses from girlhood continue to shape us later in life.
    Caterina De Biasio, Vogue, 25 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Courts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/courts. Accessed 4 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on courts

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!