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
And now, after a nearly two-decade hiatus, during which Westmoreland dabbled in acting, with roles as a crook and a homeless man, Siberia is back—once again in the subway—beneath the Hearst Building, on Fifty-seventh Street.
—
Ben McGrath, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025
Since the show's end in 1974, Forster dabbled in race car driving in the early 2000s and occasionally acts outside of Hollywood.
—Grace Gavilanes, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2025
Bongiovi, a model, has also recently dabbled in acting, with the performer next set to appear in Maude Apatow's feature directorial debut, Poetic License.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Sep. 2025
This isn’t the first time Cyrus has dabbled in the world of Fleetwood Mac.
—Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 19 Sep. 2025
After his playing days, Robinson dabbled in various professional ventures, including ownership of two minor-league basketball teams in Las Vegas.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 18 Sep. 2025
This designation allowed those companies to legally sell their existing spirits, while the rest of the alcohol industry either waited it out, sold their stock to a company with a license, or dabbled in the underground spirits world.
—Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 16 Sep. 2025
Bowlan dabbled in the role last season.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 10 Sep. 2025
Sen, as they are also called, also dabbled in Star Wars fan fic pairing Ben Solo (Kylo Ren) and Rey and has won awards in that space.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2025
Ben McGrath, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025
Since the show's end in 1974, Forster dabbled in race car driving in the early 2000s and occasionally acts outside of Hollywood.
—Grace Gavilanes, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2025
Bongiovi, a model, has also recently dabbled in acting, with the performer next set to appear in Maude Apatow's feature directorial debut, Poetic License.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Sep. 2025
This isn’t the first time Cyrus has dabbled in the world of Fleetwood Mac.
—Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 19 Sep. 2025
After his playing days, Robinson dabbled in various professional ventures, including ownership of two minor-league basketball teams in Las Vegas.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 18 Sep. 2025
This designation allowed those companies to legally sell their existing spirits, while the rest of the alcohol industry either waited it out, sold their stock to a company with a license, or dabbled in the underground spirits world.
—Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 16 Sep. 2025
Bowlan dabbled in the role last season.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 10 Sep. 2025
Sen, as they are also called, also dabbled in Star Wars fan fic pairing Ben Solo (Kylo Ren) and Rey and has won awards in that space.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dabbled
Verb
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The interaction delighted Kate's followers, who commented on his presence and received a wave from off-camera.—
Carson Blackwelder,
PEOPLE,
29 Sep. 2025
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Guillermo Del Toro’s appearance alongside actor Shin Yeeun particularly delighted audiences and generated significant social media attention.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
No amendments were entertained.—
Paul Egan,
Freep.com,
3 Oct. 2025
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Unlike other game-day snacks like chips or popcorn, where flavors and textures can get a little one-note after a while, ALDI’s Cajun Trail Mix keeps your taste buds entertained with different flavors—salty, sweet, and spicy—and different textures, too.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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McAvoy and Lindholm played just 50 and 17 games, respectively; Brandon Carlo got dealt to division rival Toronto; Zadorov never quite lived up to his beefy new deal; and youngster Lohrei struggled with too heavy of a load too soon as the carnage unfolded around him.—
Harman Dayal,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
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The unconventional thriller played like gangbusters to the buzzing New York crowd.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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We’re meant to simultaneously be amused and moved by Luca’s plight.—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
29 Sep. 2025
-
Charles, in a thank-you note, indicated that he was amused.—
John Seabrook,
New Yorker,
29 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dabbled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dabbled. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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