Thesaurus results for COURTSHIP

courtship

noun

ˈkȯrt-ˌship

Definition of courtship

as in dating

the series of social engagements shared by a couple looking to get married a long-married couple who look back on their whirlwind courtship with fondness and laughter

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 courtship Modern dating discourse has developed its own grand theories for why heterosexual courtship has felt so miserable. — Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 13 Aug. 2026 The couple have reportedly been together since 2001 and refuse to divulge details of their courtship to the press. — Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 11 Aug. 2026 Heming Willis opened up about her courtship with the actor — currently living with frontotemporal dementia — during a new interview with Today alum Hoda Kotb. — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Aug. 2026 In the Industrial Age, young people began relocating to cities for work and enjoyed newfound independence and leisure time; courtship moved from the family parlor to the dance hall. — Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for courtship

Recent Examples of Synonyms for courtship

Noun

Single Americans who say income matters in a relationship expect a potential lifelong partner to earn an average of $139,000 a year, according to a new survey highlighting the growing role finances play in modern dating.

— Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
That research also cautions against treating young adults as broadly sober, so wellness-first dating is better understood as alcohol-optional.

— Ashley Lynch, Charlotte Observer, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of dating

Noun

By the early sixties, the romance of the untaught or naïve artist was really catching.

— Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2026
Ratajkowski and Gavras first sparked romance rumors in November 2025, when they were spotted out together in New York City, and were photographed with his arm around her and kissing multiple times.

— Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of romance

Browse Nearby Words

courts

courtship

courts-martial

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Courtship.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/courtship. Accessed 10 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of courtship

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on courtship

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

loath

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Games & Quizzes