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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as in entertaining
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dabbling
Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 20 Sep. 2025
Some might have assumed at first that this woman was just an influencer dabbling in rap.
—Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 19 Sep. 2025
Marketing was sprinting while others were dabbling.
—John Schneider, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
After dabbling in a wide variety of products, Goop earlier this year cut staff and is focusing on beauty and fashion.
—Wwd Staff, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dabbling
Adjective
But almost no one can come here without dabbling in a little pearl buying.
—Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 20 Sep. 2025
Some might have assumed at first that this woman was just an influencer dabbling in rap.
—Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 19 Sep. 2025
Marketing was sprinting while others were dabbling.
—John Schneider, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
After dabbling in a wide variety of products, Goop earlier this year cut staff and is focusing on beauty and fashion.
—Wwd Staff, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dabbling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dabbling
Verb
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The popular anime franchise Berserk, based on the manga created by Kentaro Miura, has been delighting fans since the 1990s.—
Chris Snellgrove,
Entertainment Weekly,
27 Sep. 2025
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Just as a waiter earns a big tip by delighting guests, businesses earn healthy profits by delighting customers.—
Boris Kontsevoi,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Built in Birmingham, with no handouts The Doc’s diagnosis is not for everyone, though, as became very clear during the most entertaining panel session at Leaders.—
Matt Slater,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
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This one-pot meal is effortless enough for weeknights yet special enough for fall entertaining.—
Sarah Martens,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Vought, who helped write the policy blueprint known as Project 2025, is playing a major role during the shutdown, including on decisions over whether there are mass layoffs of federal employees instead of furloughs and what funding is cut and what is allowed to flow.—
Sarah D. Wire,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
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George Clooney is playing a movie star, and that was sort of built into the idea.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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And Kailey Agpaoa is goofy and funny as Doctor Sister, a self-sacrificing but fierce young woman who has given up her dreams to care of her aging parents while her older sister has a husband and medical career.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Sep. 2025
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And so, the film’s spartan spell is undone by snatches of pedestrian drama and goofy, surreal symbolism.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Starting rents are $1,300–$1,900 and include extras like furniture, babysitting, dog walking, and fun amenities—far below typical Miami prices.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
30 Sep. 2025
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Ludilo 100-Piece Bat Wall Decal Stickers From walls to windows, doors, tables, mirrors, and more, these best-selling bat stickers help transform every inch of your space into frightfully fun Halloween decor.—
Mia Huelsbeck,
PEOPLE,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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But those trifling problems aren’t for Jane to worry about.—
Ashlee Conour,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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But not everyone qualifies for — or wants — asylum, attorneys said, and filing a frivolous claim risks steeper, even lifelong, penalties.—
Sam Tabachnik,
Denver Post,
22 Sep. 2025
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Since the 2024 election, the news had become relentless, daily cruelties laid out so matter-of-factly that creativity seemed frivolous, even pointless.—
Karen Palmer
September 19,
Literary Hub,
19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The latter character ushers in a stiff but amusing Mark Cuban cameo.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Sep. 2025
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Fleury gave a typically amusing answer when asked about the chants of one more year.—
Josh Yohe,
New York Times,
28 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dabbling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dabbling. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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