dames

plural of dame
1
as in dowagers
a dignified usually elderly woman of some rank or authority as the grand dames of local society, they determined which charities received support

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2

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 dames Such parties, often thrown by the grandes dames of Washington in their palaces dotted around town, were an opportunity for political rivals to meet in fizzing comity over catered meals and coupes of Bollinger. — Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 8 Oct. 2026 Still, the biography offers a nearly contemporary portrait of one of Western literature’s grand dames, as well as some useful context around the publication of her novels, beginning with Sense and Sensibility. — Vogue, 10 Sep. 2026 But Broadwick is doing something different to the grand dames and glassy international transplants. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Sep. 2026 Perhaps unknowingly, the star was partaking in a fashion tradition set by the dames of Cortina long ago. — ABC News, 18 Feb. 2026 Along with Elba, this year’s Honors include British comedian, writer, and actor Meera Syal and England women’s football coach Sarina Wiegman, who have been made honorary dames, and British writer Roy Clarke, who was also knighted. — Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 30 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dames
Noun
  • There was also a shift toward elaborate descriptions of what society matrons wore to events, and again, women were believed to be more able to provide these verbal illustrations.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 6 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Griffith soon began courting 22-year-old Christina Mesmer, nicknamed Tina, who was considered one of the city’s most eligible young ladies.
    — Andrew Coletti, Popular Science, 14 Oct. 2026
  • His friends—these would have been the idle ladies of Moscow society, Countess Khomyakova and Princess Tuchkova and Countess Orlova and others in their circle.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • From rising stars who make mutant baile funk to rave queens shaping a raunchy new wave of techno-pop, here are the divas changing the face of club music.
    — Richard Villegas, Rolling Stone, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Rihanna, Beyoncé — of course the OG queens, the Patti LaBelles, the Stephanie Mills, all of them like that.
    — Michael Saponara, Billboard, 12 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Dames.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dames. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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