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
Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 22 Oct. 2025
Participants will learn the differences between dabbling and diving ducks, their unique characteristics and how to use eBird to find local waterfowl viewing hot spots.
—Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2025
Middleton has subtly upped the ante with her wardrobe, dabbling in trendier takes on classic British staples, like wool separates, suiting, and outdoor apparel—specifically the barn jacket, which was a key piece in Queen Elizabeth II's and Prince Philip's winter wardrobes.
—Sam Reed, Glamour, 15 Oct. 2025
After briefly dabbling in broadcasting, Battier went on to enjoy a successful career in business.
—Jon Paul Hoornstra, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dabbling
Verb
There’s a big difference between occasionally dabbling in a few sailings to the Bahamas—or perhaps zipping about on a speedboat—and true expertise in the water.
—Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 22 Oct. 2025
Participants will learn the differences between dabbling and diving ducks, their unique characteristics and how to use eBird to find local waterfowl viewing hot spots.
—Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2025
Middleton has subtly upped the ante with her wardrobe, dabbling in trendier takes on classic British staples, like wool separates, suiting, and outdoor apparel—specifically the barn jacket, which was a key piece in Queen Elizabeth II's and Prince Philip's winter wardrobes.
—Sam Reed, Glamour, 15 Oct. 2025
After briefly dabbling in broadcasting, Battier went on to enjoy a successful career in business.
—Jon Paul Hoornstra, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dabbling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dabbling
Adjective
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For example, should the classy lady in question love playing hostess, the gift of top-tier Le Creuset cookware will feel less like a luxury and more like a necessity — unwrapped just in time for New Year’s Eve entertaining.—
Footwear News,
Footwear News,
10 Nov. 2025
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Indiana has a long history of marching bands entertaining crowds — not just at halftime, but to stadiums full of fans.—
Jenny Porter Tilley,
IndyStar,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
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With just 24 hours before a party, 31-year-old Maïlys Lecaillier from Pas-de-Calais transformed everyday items into a hilariously lifelike ostrich costume that’s now delighting TikTok.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
27 Oct. 2025
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Gen Alpha’s latest viral catchphrase is baffling adults and delighting kids across the country.—
Kimberly Richardson,
CNN Money,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The pictures, show the tabby cat in the most awkward positions, from sitting like a frog, to biting his toenails, and just being generally goofy.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
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The best part of the movie might be the goofy post-credits dance scene between Farrell and co-star Tilda Swinton.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Nobody will hold Gjoshe to his hopeful timescale of playing again within a month.—
Philip Buckingham,
New York Times,
8 Nov. 2025
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What's the most difficult part of playing a character like Peter?—
Lauren Huff,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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But feminist art is getting fun.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Nov. 2025
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Below, click on each cover star to unveil a fun fact from their year of sexy.—
Brendan Le,
PEOPLE,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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As in Robinson’s other works, what elevates them from amusing to sublime is the way they’re performed, often by unfamiliar but wonderfully offbeat character actors — through overly broad smiles, wild-eyed smirks, strange pronunciations.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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In an email included with the petition, Stuart does point to a California law barring the filing of frivolous requests for sanctions against opposing attorneys.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
7 Nov. 2025
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Filing a frivolous return carries a $5,000 civil penalty under Internal Revenue Code Section 6702.—
Susan Tompor,
Freep.com,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The aging Airy had devoted his observatory to stellar measurements that now produced trifling improvements to navigation.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Oct. 2025
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But those trifling problems aren’t for Jane to worry about.—
Ashlee Conour,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dabbling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dabbling. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
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