as in delighted
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 dabbled
Alexis Castro Soto del Valle, Sandro’s father and a telecommunications engineer, has also dabbled in social media.
—
Patrick Oppmann, CNN Money, 30 Mar. 2026
Rappers Suga and j-hope took inspiration from trap and ’90s boom bap, respectively, as singers Jin and Jimin dabbled in rock and pop.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 24 Mar. 2026
Before joining this magazine as a staff writer, Tad dabbled in humor and fiction and held posts at both Radio Free Europe and Newsweek.
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2026
Other brands that have dabbled in mesquite are Wild Turkey Longbranch and Old Forester King Ranch Edition, both of which are filtered through mesquite charcoal.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 18 Mar. 2026
He's dabbled with method dressing, recreating Bob Dylan looks during the press tour for A Complete Unknown, and nearly broke the internet when coordinating with girlfriend Kylie Jenner.
—Amber Rambharose, InStyle, 15 Mar. 2026
Recent Cub Sport records, including 2023’s Jesus at the Gay Bar, dabbled into soft-spoken dance music.
—Reanna Cruz, Pitchfork, 12 Mar. 2026
The star has dabbled in acting with a role in the Prime Video series Swarm.
—Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 11 Mar. 2026
Brown, a running back, was USC’s primary kick returner as a freshman and dabbled in the return game at Arizona State last season.
—David Eckert, Austin American Statesman, 9 Mar. 2026
Patrick Oppmann, CNN Money, 30 Mar. 2026
Rappers Suga and j-hope took inspiration from trap and ’90s boom bap, respectively, as singers Jin and Jimin dabbled in rock and pop.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 24 Mar. 2026
Before joining this magazine as a staff writer, Tad dabbled in humor and fiction and held posts at both Radio Free Europe and Newsweek.
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2026
Other brands that have dabbled in mesquite are Wild Turkey Longbranch and Old Forester King Ranch Edition, both of which are filtered through mesquite charcoal.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 18 Mar. 2026
He's dabbled with method dressing, recreating Bob Dylan looks during the press tour for A Complete Unknown, and nearly broke the internet when coordinating with girlfriend Kylie Jenner.
—Amber Rambharose, InStyle, 15 Mar. 2026
Recent Cub Sport records, including 2023’s Jesus at the Gay Bar, dabbled into soft-spoken dance music.
—Reanna Cruz, Pitchfork, 12 Mar. 2026
The star has dabbled in acting with a role in the Prime Video series Swarm.
—Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 11 Mar. 2026
Brown, a running back, was USC’s primary kick returner as a freshman and dabbled in the return game at Arizona State last season.
—David Eckert, Austin American Statesman, 9 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dabbled
Verb
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For more than 15 years, this interactive walking tour, scavenger hunt and theater adventure has delighted guests exploring Greenwich Village.—
Abraham Swee,
USA Today,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Six were overturned by Major League Baseball’s new ABS challenge system, including back-to-back strike three challenges by Reds slugger Eugenio Suárez that delighted the crowd.—
Steve Henson,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The kids' menu is tempting for adults and youngsters alike, and if in doubt, a ride in the golf carts that come with each villa will be more than enough to keep everyone entertained.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The placemats themselves are designed to be super-portable in their pack and carry bag, so kids can easily carry them out for dinner and stay entertained.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Takaoka played a long arcing ball-ahead to Ocampo, who avoided goalkeeper James Pantemis — who had charged off his line — and rolled a shot from the edge of the penalty area inside the back post and into a wide-open net.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
5 Apr. 2026
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The Current’s still one of the most talented teams in the league, boasting such USWNT veterans as Cooper, Sentnor and LaBonta, along with women who’ve played for other countries — Lorena and midfielder Rocky Rodriguez (Costa Rica), for instance.—
PJ Green
April 5,
Kansas City Star,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Footage of an American in Spain handling a pickpocket thief went viral when it was shared on social media, as viewers were amused by his quick reaction.—
Thomas Westerholm,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Jessica Hecht, playing one of the hostages, adds her typically off-beat depth, and I was most amused by John Ortiz as the FBI agent with the standard G-man voice and personality to match.—
Chris Jones,
New York Daily News,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Meek lives with her dad, Smooch (Will Cobbs), a former Black Panther who now runs a roller rink, and her not-to-be-trifled-with grandma, Puddin (Lizan Mitchell).—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
11 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dabbled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dabbled. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.
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