dance 1 of 2

noun

Definition of dancenext
as in prom
a social gathering for dancing who are you taking to the dance on Saturday night?

Synonyms & Similar Words

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dance

2 of 2

verb

ˈdan(t)s How to pronounce dance (audio)
1
as in to step
to perform a series of usually rhythmic bodily movements to music she can't resist dancing to her favorite rock bands

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to dart
to make an irregular series of quick, sudden movements the lithe boxer danced around the ring, staying just out of the reach of his opponent

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 dance
Noun
Worst Girl in America’s sonic profile is equal parts hyperpop, dance and electronic, with a dash of punk. — Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026 In the middle of all the work, the astronauts found time for fun, throwing a dance party last month and holding regular cooking demonstrations complete with aprons and a chef’s toque. — Marcia Dunn, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026
Verb
And then the other thing was that my friends who were in the audience told me that people in the audience were making out, not only dancing, but actually making out. — Shaad D’souza, Pitchfork, 7 Oct. 2026 Upon entering the room, Brando put on a radio, and the two started dancing. — David Morgan, CBS News, 6 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dance
  1. prom
  2. step
  3. dart
  4. festival
  5. waltz
  6. flit
  7. celebration
  8. shuffle
Noun
  • Maryuri Chavez Carranza Elder Chavez Carranza believed his last year of high school would consist of preparations for his graduation, prom and planning for his future.
    — Rebecca Gelpi-Ufret, ABC News, 29 Sep. 2026
  • The music video, an homage to the prom night episode of Laguna Beach, opens with Morris, 36, and Cavallari getting ready for prom as Branch pulls up in a Mojito!
    — Jack Irvin, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of prom
Verb
  • The combination of Rykman's extended jams, psychedelic light show and joyous energy made the concert feel less like simply watching a band perform and more like temporarily stepping away for the normal day-to-day.
    — Steve Spaleta, Space.com, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Charlotte Gainsbourg stepped onto the runway to sing, adding an intimate finish to the monumental setting.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of step
Verb
  • The sheriff's office says Loki darted towards this large bush not far from the house.
    — Marissa Perlman, CBS News, 28 Sep. 2026
  • On Thursday night, the Falcons saw Bowman dart around the field, throw his body into ball carriers and get his hands on passes.
    — Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of dart
Noun
  • For 70 years, the festival has brought really the best of the year in cinema to audiences.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Couples who match through the program are offered vouchers for subsequent dates, access to follow-up activities tied to festivals around Seoul, as well as an online and offline community where participants can stay connected.
    — Matthew Tan, CNBC, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of festival
Verb
  • My cat decided to waltz in front of the phone's camera during the VO2 Max test at one point, and the test continued despite the brief obstruction.
    — Andrew Gebhart, PC Magazine, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Sixteen local candidates, all of them incumbent Democrats, are unopposed and will waltz into office without being challenged.
    — Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of waltz
Verb
  • Zosia Mamet, Jason Schwartzman, Chris O’Dowd, Billie Lourd, and Will Price flit in and out of the picture, some trying to act as the voices of reason and others cheering on the madness.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Those yellow jackets flitted around the room like bees before the event, mingling with fundraiser attendees and big-name actors, explaining what, exactly, City Year does.
    — Laura Zornosa, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of flit
Noun
  • The festival arrives as Kansas City’s culinary landscape continues expanding, with Asian restaurants, cultural celebrations and food entrepreneurs gaining greater visibility throughout the region.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 8 Oct. 2026
  • But when Gordon scored his touchdown against the Vikings, Wright was in the middle of the group celebration.
    — David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of celebration
Verb
  • Ivey and his partner persuaded the Crockfords dealer to rotate the high-value cards 180 degrees before shuffling them back into the pack, citing some obscure superstition as justification.
    — Kit Chellel, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2026
  • In the midst of the rush to finish my syllabi and opening week assignments, as my husband shuffled the kids into their sneakers and Crocs and the car for one last back-to-school outing, everything stopped.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of shuffle

Phrases Containing dance

Browse Nearby Words

dam (up)
dance
dance attendance (upon)
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Cite this Entry

“Dance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dance. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on dance

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about dance

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