dabbling 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of dabblingnext
as in entertaining

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dabbling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of dabble
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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Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of dabbling
Verb
As Cathy transitions into Madame Kate and embraces her newfound power and wealth, Thorisdottir imagined Kate would also be dabbling in the newly purchasable makeup of the early 1900s. — Katie Gunderman, Allure, 21 Oct. 2026 Meanwhile, some of you might be dabbling in a secret love affair. — Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 6 Oct. 2026 Now, true art therapy is more than dabbling in painting or pottery. — Stephanie Vermillion, Vogue, 17 Sep. 2026 Go for a classic triangle-eye grinning gourd, but also consider dabbling in something a little different. — Wendy Rose Gould, Martha Stewart, 16 Sep. 2026 That’s not to say there isn’t opportunity — Netflix and Amazon spent about $40 billion combined on video and music content last year — but the degree of difficulty, especially for the sports stars dabbling in unfamiliar territory, has intensified. — Justin Birnbaum, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2026 Savchenko has been actively pursuing opportunities outside of dancing and is dabbling with a career in acting. — Sameen Chaudhry, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026 Waffle House, the iconic, 24-hour Southern diner, is dabbling in another comfort food — the beloved taco. — Amy Wenk, AJC.com, 20 Aug. 2026 Brown is a creative and curious cook, and is constantly dabbling in cultural influences to keep things fresh. — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 31 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dabbling
  1. entertaining
  2. delighting
  3. goofy
  4. playing
  5. fun
  6. amusing
  7. frivolous
  8. trifling
Adjective
  • The Chicago Blackhawks and Los Angeles Kings weren’t going to re-create double-overtime playoff moments from the early 2010s on Tuesday, but the game was still an entertaining affair.
    — Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
  • In addition to a pool with an inset spa, the resort-like grounds host an entertaining pavilion anchored by a pizza oven, bar, and grilling station, as well as a mini-golf course and putting area.
    — Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of entertaining
Verb
  • Irish comedian Joanne McNally was first on stage, delighting the packed house with the woes of being single and 40.
    — Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Instead of delighting fans by paying loving homage to the movies or winning over newcomers with an exciting fresh take on the material, the show fails on both fronts, swinging wildly from one misbegotten idea to the next.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of delighting
Adjective
  • Some Latinas are nerds, and some Latinas are quirky, and some of them are goofy and some of them are clumsy.
    — Johanna Ferreira, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The opening chase scene is gorgeously animated, the kind of sequence that makes Common Side Effects distinct visual style that is at once both goofy and realistic so mesmerizing to watch.
    — Joshua Rivera, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of goofy
Verb
  • And Maye did it despite playing without much of the Patriots’ offensive arsenal.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 2 Nov. 2026
  • But the move left Angel City playing a home game on the road in an effort to avoid the road and play at home in the playoffs.
    — Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of playing
Adjective
  • Honestly, getting dragged out on a jet ski in marine clothing and thrown into waves and getting crushed by waves was extremely fun.
    — David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 27 Oct. 2026
  • This should be a fun battle between two teams looking to figure things out.
    — OutKick, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of fun
Verb
  • 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
  • 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
Definition of amusing
Adjective
  • The obsessive pursuit of real and imagined enemies is constant as the Department of Justice lawyers file criminal complaints with frivolous and manufactured issues.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Many academics see sports as frivolous and corrupting, as a distraction from the higher purpose of moral and intellectual formation—and as the most visible sign of the commercialization and corporatization of the modern university.
    — Geraldo L. Cadava, The Atlantic, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of frivolous
Verb
  • In the mid-19th century, the question was of trifling interest to mapmakers, who had far more than four colors at their disposal and saw no particular reason to restrict their palette.
    — Gregory Barber, Quanta Magazine, 10 Sep. 2026
  • But that still left the less-than-trifling matter of the second tier’s title to settle, as the teams were locked together on 97 points with one game still to play.
    — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 1 May 2026
Definition of trifling

Browse Nearby Words

dabbles
dabbling
dab hand
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Cite this Entry

“Dabbling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dabbling. Accessed 4 Nov. 2026.

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