courts 1 of 2

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

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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

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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

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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

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2
as in dates
to go on dates that may eventually lead to marriage they courted for a year before getting married

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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
The Department of Justice last month sued the clerk of the Fulton County superior and magistrate courts in federal court seeking access to documents from the 2020 election in the county. Arkansas Online, 29 Jan. 2026 The Budapest Prosecutor’s Office on Wednesday asked the courts to level a fine against Karacsony for stepping in to co-organize the event under the auspices of the capital municipality, according a statement published on Wednesday. Thomas Escritt, Bloomberg, 28 Jan. 2026 Some 3,500 people were extrajudicially disappeared during the last 15 years of Hasina’s reign, says the interim government, while every institution was politicized, engendering deep distrust of the military, courts, civil service, and especially security services. Charlie Campbell, Time, 28 Jan. 2026 Trump has repeatedly targeted Georgia’s 2020 election, claiming fraud despite courts and his attorney general finding no evidence of widespread irregularities. Kate Brumback, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026 The National Immigration Law Center fights in courts and legislatures to protect low-income immigrants, ensuring that civil rights don’t disappear simply because of where someone was born. Dev Patnaik, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026 Clay Calvert, a technology policy expert at the American Enterprise Institute, said the outcome could influence thousands of similar cases waiting in courts, as reported by The Associated Press. Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 27 Jan. 2026 The home itself has no shortage of luxury amenities, including a 12-car garage, a sports complex featuring basketball and pickleball courts, a gym, a boxing ring, and a pool. Lara Walsh, InStyle, 27 Jan. 2026 Last year, the kingdom drafted a law (not yet enacted) setting out parameters for data embassies, ranging from the guest country retaining full autonomy to hybrid legal systems in which Saudi courts could assist foreign judicial systems, CNBC reported. Kelsey Warner, semafor.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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
  • Instead of hosting premieres in movie palaces, screenings are held in dozens of makeshift theaters, with screens erected in libraries, motels and school auditoriums.
    Brent Lang, Variety, 21 Jan. 2026
  • For Stroheim, the palaces and playgrounds of the rich are elaborate concealments of the drudgery and the squalor underlying comforts and luxuries—and even the bare necessities of everyday people.
    Richard Brody, New Yorker, 17 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Front doors began to open onto building entryways, revealing deserted courtyards inside.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Jan. 2026
  • The San Lázaro district is known for its labyrinthian alleyways and quiet stone courtyards as well as its proximity to the city center’s Plaza de Armas with its majestic cathedral and graceful fountain.
    Anna Marie de la Fuente, Variety, 19 Jan. 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
  • All three judges scored the fight 119-109, giving just one round to Lopez.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Feb. 2026
  • The Department of Homeland Security announced the termination of TPS designation for immigrants from multiple countries, including Honduras, Nepal and South Sudan, though federal judges have stymied many of those efforts.
    Tami Luhby, CNN Money, 1 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
  • Each city features unique opening acts, with Robyn joining the six Amsterdam performances, Shania Twain appearing at all six London shows, Fcukers opening both São Paulo dates, Jorja Smith at the Mexico City performance, and Jamie xx performing at every New York show.
    Jenzia Burgos, StyleCaster, 26 Jan. 2026
  • The hotel resides in a historic flatiron building that dates to 1904, and its Old World charm is juxtaposed with sleek, modern accents.
    Forbes Travel Guide, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Vendors will offer enclosures, feeders and accessories.
    Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 29 Jan. 2026
  • My biggest pet-peeve is when the comforter escapes from the duvet cover enclosures and ends up as a wadded mess that distorts the entire bedding set up.
    Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 23 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • 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
  • The law includes a variety of provisions, including stricter bail rules for many violent offenses, a new protocol for judges and magistrates ordering mental health evaluations and funding for additional prosecutors in Mecklenburg County.
    Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 26 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Courts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/courts. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.

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