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
Managers must move beyond dabbling, become genuinely proficient, and require AI use from their teams to secure their future. — Mark Murphy, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026 At the time, Garcia was also dabbling in fashion, making hats and clothes, and about to learn how to become a shoe cobbler. — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026 Towns isn’t the only member of the Knicks dabbling in trademarks. — Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 16 June 2026 White wrote jingles for commercials (a gig that informed his future compositions as much as Lou Reed’s dabbling in pop songwriting at Pickwick Records did his). — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 4 June 2026 Refn isn’t the only director who’s been dabbling; there’s been a major increase in the number of filmmakers who are exploring AI, and some brought their projects to show to buyers this year. — Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 23 May 2026 Blockbusters abound, among a murderers’ row of musical icons, at the Guggenheim’s Pop-art show, and in a movie that sees Steven Spielberg dabbling, once again, in aliens. — Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 22 May 2026 After dabbling in musical theater at Florida Atlantic University, film eventually became his calling. — Miami Herald, 20 May 2026 The lifelong friends paired up with director Louis Malle after playwright Gregory’s stint in Europe, staging experimental theater and dabbling in New Age communities (and near-death experiences). — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 11 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dabbling
  1. entertaining
  2. delighting
  3. goofy
  4. playing
  5. fun
  6. amusing
  7. frivolous
  8. trifling
Adjective
  • Each idea keeps the Halloween feel while embracing summer produce and outdoor entertaining.
    — Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 July 2026
  • The new aft deck creates space for relaxing, entertaining, and general luxuriating by the water’s edge.
    — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 8 July 2026
Definition of entertaining
Verb
  • The Dutch were the neutral’s favourites throughout World Cup 1974, their Total Football taking the game to a new level, and delighting supporters with their fluidity, high defensive line and commitment to keep on attacking.
    — Michael Cox, New York Times, 1 July 2026
  • The last two songs ended in all-out thrash conflagrations, delighting the slam-dancers at the center of the floor.
    — Steve Knopper, Rolling Stone, 26 June 2026
Definition of delighting
Adjective
  • The film appears to mark a departure from Impacciatore’s recent roles that are imbued in her goofy, exuberant persona.
    — Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 9 July 2026
  • His core driving philosophy is love in all its variety — from darkest depths to goofiest heights, always delivered with desperation.
    — Debby Wolfinsohn, Entertainment Weekly, 7 July 2026
Definition of goofy
Verb
  • That’s because he wasn’t supposed to be playing in the game at one point.
    — Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 8 July 2026
  • Rogers isn’t the only former Giant currently playing for the Blue Jays.
    — Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 7 July 2026
Definition of playing
Adjective
  • But there are still some fun callbacks here, like the recipe for Sam’s turmeric tea.
    — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 14 July 2026
  • Sports are fun because the better physical beings don’t always win.
    — Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 13 July 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
  • By contrast, to invoke Rule 11 the asserted cause of action has to be frivolous, meaning that there is literally no credible evidence and/or no legal authority to assert the cause of action.
    — Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
  • The decision followed the Columbia Association's ethics panel concluding that Greenberg, Emery, and Avery filed a frivolous ethics complaint.
    — Dennis Valera, CBS News, 1 July 2026
Definition of frivolous
Verb
  • 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
  • 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
Definition of trifling

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Cite this Entry

“Dabbling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dabbling. Accessed 14 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on dabbling

Nglish: Translation of dabbling for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about dabbling

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