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
Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Feb. 2026
In a break from its hearty-reds persona, Ridge is also dabbling in lighter reds now, too — Valdiguié and, as of the 2025 harvest, Gamay.
—Senior Wine Critic, San Francisco Chronicle, 24 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
The global market capitalization of all coins has shed more than $2 trillion in that time, and fewer and fewer traders are dabbling in meme coins and derivatives.
—Will Gottsegen, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dabbling
Verb
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
In a break from its hearty-reds persona, Ridge is also dabbling in lighter reds now, too — Valdiguié and, as of the 2025 harvest, Gamay.
—Senior Wine Critic, San Francisco Chronicle, 24 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
The global market capitalization of all coins has shed more than $2 trillion in that time, and fewer and fewer traders are dabbling in meme coins and derivatives.
—Will Gottsegen, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dabbling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dabbling
Adjective
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Given the final score, the announcers may have found the most entertaining action in the ballpark that night.—
Samantha Agate,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 Apr. 2026
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Maul and Devon's relationship is an entertaining tug-of-war; Lawson is a caf-loving lawman best described as well-meaning, but out of his element; and the inevitable arrival of Imperial forces (including two Inquisitors) quickly threatens disaster for both sides.—
Fran Ruiz,
Space.com,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Her response only fueled the trend further, delighting fans who were already treating her as an unofficial icon of success.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
2 Apr. 2026
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The ball circled the rim twice before dropping on Friday night, delighting Duke and its fans and crushing LSU.—
Joe Davidson,
Sacbee.com,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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With respect to any of the real deaths on display in the 1978 Faces of Death, the movie is mostly just goofy.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
10 Apr. 2026
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Things go from bad to worse when cast member Kam Patterson shows up with a goofy notion of his own.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Texas Ranger introduces bodycam video Prosecutors have begun playing video of law enforcement interrogations of Tanner Horner, beginning with Texas Ranger Job Espinoza demanding that Horner tell him where Athena is and asking if the child was alive or dead when Horner left her.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Apr. 2026
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Getting flexed into prime time, akin to Tuesday’s date in Boston, and playing in meaningful games in late March and early April is a signal Peterson’s vision is working.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Your 5th House of Euphoria welcomes in the flighty Moon, which makes this a time for fun experimentation rather than tedious drudgery.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
8 Apr. 2026
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When the 75 minutes are up, the chefs head to the water park for some R&R, and sure, this is sponcon, but also, that place seems fun as hell.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
7 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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There’s nothing frivolous about playing or listening to music.—
Keith Wagstaff,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Apr. 2026
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Americans rightfully expect smart use of our tax dollars, not wasting enormous sums on frivolous, extravagant and absolutely unnecessary projects as a ballroom.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
7 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 13 Apr. 2026.
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