as in entertaining
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as in delighting
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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dabbling
Kate Donovan, Martha Stewart, 3 Apr. 2026
Long Rife spent the next decade attending Midwestern colleges while dabbling in other sports such as flag football and track.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2026
After her first son was born, the new mom tiptoed back into the workplace, even dabbling in radio.
—Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2026
Bedard prefers his natural position but sees the importance in dabbling elsewhere at times.
—Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 26 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dabbling
Verb
Instead of dabbling with one-off projects, this approach is about really digging in and committing to improving your skills.
—Kate Donovan, Martha Stewart, 3 Apr. 2026
Long Rife spent the next decade attending Midwestern colleges while dabbling in other sports such as flag football and track.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2026
After her first son was born, the new mom tiptoed back into the workplace, even dabbling in radio.
—Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2026
Bedard prefers his natural position but sees the importance in dabbling elsewhere at times.
—Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 26 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dabbling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dabbling
Adjective
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Having a comfortable outdoor space is essential for relaxing and entertaining guests.—
Toni Sutton,
PEOPLE,
21 Apr. 2026
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This is an important skill for anyone who, like Fuqua, aims to make big and broadly entertaining films, and therefore needs to persuade executives to fund them and stars to appear in them.—
Kelefa Sanneh,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The rise of Bernie Sanders’ preferred Senate candidate in Michigan is frustrating moderates, delighting progressives, and testing the sway of Democratic leaders in a race that will likely determine the party’s shot at a Senate majority.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
22 Apr. 2026
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This morning, Hargitay responded with the Outer Banks reference, delighting other commenters in the thread.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The Japanese quartet take Ra’s skein of electronic noise as a starting point, wrapping it in a sizzling no wave funk beat, vocals that veer between incantatory and goofy, and bewitching mandalas of chimes and gongs.—
Reed Jackson,
SPIN,
24 Apr. 2026
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Keno brought his goofy side to every practice, getting laughs at stinky feet jokes, or pretending to run into a door.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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When the reports surfaced that the Saudis were cutting off LIV’s funding, the league was playing a tournament in Mexico City.—
Zach Helfand,
New Yorker,
23 Apr. 2026
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Promotion to League One in just their second attempt after taking 132 years to reach the EFL is one thing, but their playing style under former Brentford and Northampton goalkeeper Andy Woodman only adds to the curiosity around them.—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Sprinkled along the way are fun cameos from the familiar Broadway faces Ana Gasteyer, Ann Harada, McKenzie Kurtz and Brad Oscar, all veteran musical actors whose very presence is all part of the show’s central joke.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Apr. 2026
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Lisa Parigi, Lionel Richie, Will Ferrell and Viveca Paulin are a fun four at LACMA's Opening Gala for The David Geffen Galleries in Los Angeles on April 16.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The podcast added its own layer of lighthearted commentary, signaling that even those closest to the Kelce family found the coverage amusing rather than newsworthy.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
9 Mar. 2026
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The podcast, which has become a cultural touchstone in its own right, signaled that even those closest to the Kelce family found the coverage amusing rather than newsworthy.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Still looking for their multi-million-dollar payday, the Cascios brought back Howard King and are grasping at straws through this frivolous filing.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
24 Apr. 2026
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Due to this frivolous spending, the county now has less than two months of operating expenses on hand.—
Rebecca Jones,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The rise may seem trifling, but staffers work long hours, and a caffeine budget is a necessity.—
Lauren Green,
The Washington Examiner,
7 Feb. 2026
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The health factor is no trifling qualifier for a player who has missed time with shoulder and oblique injuries, in addition to that unfortunate incident with his pelvic floor.—
Andrew Baggarly,
New York Times,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dabbling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dabbling. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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