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
Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 18 Feb. 2026
Brendan Reilly highlighted their differing approaches in the Tuesday night debate to the office that oversees the 17-member County Board, forest preserves, and budgets for the county’s massive health system, courts and jail.
—A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
In a doomsday scenario, Republicans could pick up one or even two seats if courts intervene and draw less favorable districts for 2026.
—David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 18 Feb. 2026
Once again, the courts ruled for profits over pomegranates.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
The White House nominated a new candidate for Nevada’s top federal prosecutor after courts questioned whether the first pick could legally serve.
—Jessica Hill, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
The group has challenged the dissolution order in the French courts, and a ruling is expected this year.
—CBS News, 18 Feb. 2026
Along with defending champion Jessica Pegula and 2017 French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko, Venus Williams will take to the Austin courts for the first time.
—Jay Plotkin, Austin American Statesman, 18 Feb. 2026
In Wyoming, the question of corner crossing dragged through the courts for years.
—Karlee Provenza, Denver Post, 11 Feb. 2026
Shawn Tully, Fortune, 31 Jan. 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
Those federal statutes are enforceable through the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), which directs courts to set aside agency actions when they are taken without observance of procedural requirements and in abuse of agency discretion.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 18 Feb. 2026
Brendan Reilly highlighted their differing approaches in the Tuesday night debate to the office that oversees the 17-member County Board, forest preserves, and budgets for the county’s massive health system, courts and jail.
—A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
In a doomsday scenario, Republicans could pick up one or even two seats if courts intervene and draw less favorable districts for 2026.
—David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 18 Feb. 2026
Once again, the courts ruled for profits over pomegranates.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
The White House nominated a new candidate for Nevada’s top federal prosecutor after courts questioned whether the first pick could legally serve.
—Jessica Hill, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
The group has challenged the dissolution order in the French courts, and a ruling is expected this year.
—CBS News, 18 Feb. 2026
Along with defending champion Jessica Pegula and 2017 French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko, Venus Williams will take to the Austin courts for the first time.
—Jay Plotkin, Austin American Statesman, 18 Feb. 2026
In Wyoming, the question of corner crossing dragged through the courts for years.
—Karlee Provenza, Denver Post, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
But the go-short approach courts big risks.
—Shawn Tully, Fortune, 31 Jan. 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
-
The videos also testify to Italy’s reverence for the design house, giving it access to palaces and monuments normally closed to commercial activity.—
Jane Wooldridge,
Miami Herald,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Moreover, Austria offers, as mentioned, an exceptional variety of locations — from breathtaking Alpine landscapes to historic cities, stunning architecture both historical and contemporary, as well as castles and palaces.—
Ed Meza,
Variety,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Hammock rooms spill out to private courtyards anchored by their namesake accessory, and poolside rooms open to pool-adjacent patios, especially popular with families.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Another unique dining experience awaits at The Garlic, a rustic and eclectic compound with lush, winding courtyards and nightly entertainment to complement the extensive Italian menu.—
Skye Sherman,
Southern Living,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Several oil companies sought compensation through international tribunals and arbitrators.—
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Jan. 2026
-
The Nuremberg trials also helped to establish precedents used in later international criminal tribunals, including those in the wake of the Bosnian war and Rwandan genocide, and influenced the formation of the International Criminal Court, which began operating in 2002 in The Hague.—
B.B. Blaber,
The Conversation,
8 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
The series currently under development will stage a competition to find a new member of the show's elite squad of ballroom aces, with current pro Mark Ballas and his mother, English ballroom legend Shirley Ballas, serving as judges.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 Feb. 2026
-
The ruling is a reminder that some judges view antitrust lawsuits over Division I athlete eligibility as fundamentally a question of economic competition—namely, an athlete selling their services to the marketplace of college buyers—rather than an educational or social issue.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
22 Feb. 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
-
The original contract, or what’s known as a compensation agreement, dates to January 2020 and included a five-year term.—
Jennifer Van Grove,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Prices are likely to fluctuate as the show dates approach.—
Mars Salazar,
Austin American Statesman,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Every morning, animal care manager Kim Carr stops by to prepare breakfast, scattering treats across their enclosures that are filled with fake tree trunks, log piles and hanging branches — an organic jungle gym for creatures that are born to climb and play.—
Shi En Kim,
AZCentral.com,
20 Feb. 2026
-
The enclosures are required so as to not release anything into the environment.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Judges and magistrates are required to follow the law and constitutional standards in every case and cannot make decisions based on ideology or public pressure.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Feb. 2026
-
The district judge declined her jurisdictional prerogatives, saying that the case was too serious to be settled in a magistrates’ court and must be heard by a Crown Court, which deals with the most severe criminal offenses.—
Rosa Lyster,
Harpers Magazine,
30 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Courts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/courts. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
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