as in to delight
to take part in an activity in a superficial way
She dabbled in drawing and painting but sculpture was her favorite medium.
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Recent Examples of dabble
Bedard prefers his natural position but sees the importance in dabbling elsewhere at times.
—
Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 26 Feb. 2026
Start Small For those just dabbling in this layered approach to decor for the first time, determining the right cadence might be a trial-and-error process.
—Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Feb. 2026
His father was a wheeler-dealer who lived by quick wits and the sweat of his brow, dabbling in bootlegged sake, swine farming, loan sharking, and later pachinko parlors—Japan’s ubiquitous low-stakes gambling game of clattering steel ball bearings.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 24 Feb. 2026
Justin has also dabbled in fashion design over the years, cofounding Drew House in 2019 before the launch of his latest project, Skylrk, last year.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dabble
Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 26 Feb. 2026
Start Small For those just dabbling in this layered approach to decor for the first time, determining the right cadence might be a trial-and-error process.
—Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Feb. 2026
His father was a wheeler-dealer who lived by quick wits and the sweat of his brow, dabbling in bootlegged sake, swine farming, loan sharking, and later pachinko parlors—Japan’s ubiquitous low-stakes gambling game of clattering steel ball bearings.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 24 Feb. 2026
Justin has also dabbled in fashion design over the years, cofounding Drew House in 2019 before the launch of his latest project, Skylrk, last year.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dabble
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dabble
Verb
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With the right instruction, each of us can create a character that delights all of us.—
Robert Niles,
Oc Register,
3 Mar. 2026
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The queen—blond, leggy, wearing dark glasses and a red flapper dress—lounges on an armchair while ministers in suits delight their childish king by dancing with him, turning him and his big belly in cartwheels and the like.—
Jennifer Homans,
New Yorker,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Mariachi Reyna de Los Ángeles, founded in South El Monte, rewrote the rules of music, becoming the first all-woman mariachi ensemble that has entertained for more than three decades.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Mar. 2026
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View Outside’s longstanding literary storytelling tradition comes to life in audio with features that will both entertain and inform listeners.—
Outside Online,
Outside Online,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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How to play Mega Millions Player can pick six numbers from two separate pools of numbers — five different numbers from 1 to 70 (the white balls) and one number from 1 to 24 (the gold Mega Mall).—
Tanya Wildt,
Freep.com,
4 Mar. 2026
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Bilodeau has scored in double figures in 26 of 28 games played, totaling 20 points or more nine times.—
Steve Galluzzo,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But Streisand apparently couldn’t help herself, going off on some tangents in her post that left some respondents amused but others thinking that the entertainment legend was living up to her reputation for being self-obsessed.—
Martha Ross,
Mercury News,
26 Feb. 2026
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The thing that amuses me the most?—
Baz Bamigboye,
Deadline,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The hotel's restaurant, Pavyllon by Yannick Alléno, is duly grand, with white tablecloths, velvet banquettes, and a menu that, according to general manager Romain Mervelay, marries French techniques with seasonal ingredients to please British palates.—
Abbey Stone,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
4 Mar. 2026
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After church service is done and all the Easter eggs have been found, gather the family for a crowd-pleasing meal that's already ready to serve.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
4 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dabble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dabble. Accessed 6 Mar. 2026.
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