as in relaxation
activity engaged in to amuse oneself
an extremely serious scientist who is not much given to dalliance or idle chitchat
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Recent Examples of dalliance
Even its pricey dalliance with the NFL has favored the particular (a Christmas Day doubleheader) over the general (the Sunday afternoon national window).
—
Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 18 Mar. 2026
Now impotent as a result, Jan pushes Bess to find new lovers and tell him about her dalliances with them, an odyssey that eventually drives Bess to madness.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2026
The Bears have publicly made their dalliance with Indiana known since at least December, and Johnson has not put up much of a fight in all that time.
—David Greising, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026
Let’s enter a homosexual dalliance free from the constraints of body and society—no worries if not!
—Reanna Cruz, Pitchfork, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dalliance
Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 18 Mar. 2026
Now impotent as a result, Jan pushes Bess to find new lovers and tell him about her dalliances with them, an odyssey that eventually drives Bess to madness.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2026
The Bears have publicly made their dalliance with Indiana known since at least December, and Johnson has not put up much of a fight in all that time.
—David Greising, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026
Let’s enter a homosexual dalliance free from the constraints of body and society—no worries if not!
—Reanna Cruz, Pitchfork, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dalliance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dalliance
Noun
-
The Administration’s cowboy capture of the Venezuelan autocrat Nicolás Maduro, on January 3rd, prompted an airspace closure in the Caribbean, stranding many populations, none as humbled as the American tourists, gone to the islands for rest and relaxation over the winter holiday.—
Doreen St. Félix,
New Yorker,
9 May 2026
-
Hot and cold immersion has been linked to reduced inflammation, improved circulation, muscle relaxation and better sleep — outcomes a 60-minute massage cannot match.—
Hanna Wickes,
Sacbee.com,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
At some of the ranches, Ted Turner Reserves and Turner Enterprises have woven revenue-generating programs like bison ranching, recreation and tourism with ecology.—
Susan Montoya Bryan,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
-
Outdoor recreation isn't just a hobby in Minnesota.—
Jeff Wagner,
CBS News,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
As polished-glam and old-Hollywood as the references were, there were moments that also felt sleazy and fun in the way that Hollywood in 2007 did, when getting photographed pouring out of a car on the way into the club was a rite of passage and full of its own twisted promise.—
Julissa James,
Los Angeles Times,
15 May 2026
-
The fun continues with a trip to London, where the Commanders will take on the Indianapolis Colts at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.—
Nicki Jhabvala,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
The animal’s body was no longer treated as a source of sustenance or knowledge, but rather as a prop for amusement.—
Sam Zeveloff,
STAT,
9 May 2026
-
While the work’s English title might indicate a sense of amusement or distraction, the Chinese title is an idiom that refers to being caught in a dilemma, like a boat that has left one shore but has not yet reached the other.—
Pauline J. Yao,
Artforum,
2 May 2026
Noun
-
The spa Indoor and outdoor pools here provide extra options for entertainment, and the patio’s sunbeds see a lot of attention, especially on weekends when rates often drop here.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
14 May 2026
-
Throughout her career, the actor has deliberately chosen powerful, complex roles and founded the Geena Davis Institute to combat unconscious bias and increase representation in entertainment.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
When the Moon enters Taurus, enjoyment gives your confidence something solid to build on.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
14 May 2026
-
Ben Shapiro’s heartwarming enjoyment of musical theater?—
Helen Lewis,
The Atlantic,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dalliance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dalliance. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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