as in proms
a social gathering for dancing
who are you taking to the dance on Saturday night?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in steps
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 darts
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dances
Alex Shoemaker, Parents, 8 Jan. 2026
However, French officials’ tolerance of petit marronage allowed for the forging of maroon and slave connections across the island, as people gathered for religious ceremonies or dances, building networks that were useful at the time and would become vital in the future.
—Literary Hub, 5 Jan. 2026
Mick Jagger still sprints, dances and sings across the stage during Rolling Stones concerts, which can stretch close to two hours.
—Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 2 Jan. 2026
From cringey TikTok dances to excessive protein products, here are the trends internet commentators believe will disappear in 2026.
—Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 2 Jan. 2026
The woman at center (her pose reminiscent of David’s Hersilia, the mythical wife of Romulus who intervenes in the war between the Romans and Sabines) dances to the triumphant music of drummers and horn blowers.
—James Meyer, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2026
Fireworks on the tourist island of Bali were replaced with traditional dances.
—Dallas Morning News, 1 Jan. 2026
In Ukraine, Odesa residents held a traditional celebration called Malanka, featuring traditional costumes, folklore characters, songs, dances, theatrical performances and other rituals meant to bring prosperity in the new year.
—CBS News, 31 Dec. 2025
Concerts and fireworks on Indonesia’s tourist island of Bali were canceled and replaced with a cultural arts event featuring traditional dances.
—Rod McGuirk, Los Angeles Times, 31 Dec. 2025
Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2026
Louis-Dreyfus played Elaine Benes, Jerry's ex-girlfriend who dances poorly and inadvertently steals intellectual property from Tom Wilson II, the creator of Ziggy.
—Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Dec. 2025
Heikki Lunta Festival Negaunee, Michigan The Heikki Lunta Festival pays homage to a beloved local legend, the fictional snow god who dances for fresh snow.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Midwest Living, 29 Dec. 2025
The original movie is simultaneously at its best and its worst during a sequence when Yongary inexplicably dances to surf rock alongside the plucky young boy protagonist.
—James Grebey, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025
Snow starred on the series for its entire three-season run, playing a Philadelphia teen in the 1960s who dances on Dick Clark's American Bandstand.
—Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 20 Nov. 2025
The shy, sickly seamstress Mimi becomes the HIV-positive junkie Mimi who dances at a strip club to support her drug habit.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Nov. 2025
It is aimed at combining the cultural influence of its host city with the daring fashion that dances across the pages of the magazine.
—Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 27 Oct. 2025
The flame also dances back and forth for an even more convincing look.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Sep. 2025
Noun
The series celebrates a household that dances, laughs, and experiments together.
—Alex Shoemaker, Parents, 8 Jan. 2026
However, French officials’ tolerance of petit marronage allowed for the forging of maroon and slave connections across the island, as people gathered for religious ceremonies or dances, building networks that were useful at the time and would become vital in the future.
—Literary Hub, 5 Jan. 2026
Mick Jagger still sprints, dances and sings across the stage during Rolling Stones concerts, which can stretch close to two hours.
—Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 2 Jan. 2026
From cringey TikTok dances to excessive protein products, here are the trends internet commentators believe will disappear in 2026.
—Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 2 Jan. 2026
The woman at center (her pose reminiscent of David’s Hersilia, the mythical wife of Romulus who intervenes in the war between the Romans and Sabines) dances to the triumphant music of drummers and horn blowers.
—James Meyer, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2026
Fireworks on the tourist island of Bali were replaced with traditional dances.
—Dallas Morning News, 1 Jan. 2026
In Ukraine, Odesa residents held a traditional celebration called Malanka, featuring traditional costumes, folklore characters, songs, dances, theatrical performances and other rituals meant to bring prosperity in the new year.
—CBS News, 31 Dec. 2025
Concerts and fireworks on Indonesia’s tourist island of Bali were canceled and replaced with a cultural arts event featuring traditional dances.
—Rod McGuirk, Los Angeles Times, 31 Dec. 2025
Verb
Maurice Vasquez dances in his prison cell to blaring rap music, wearing a straw hat and designer glasses.
—Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2026
Louis-Dreyfus played Elaine Benes, Jerry's ex-girlfriend who dances poorly and inadvertently steals intellectual property from Tom Wilson II, the creator of Ziggy.
—Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Dec. 2025
Heikki Lunta Festival Negaunee, Michigan The Heikki Lunta Festival pays homage to a beloved local legend, the fictional snow god who dances for fresh snow.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Midwest Living, 29 Dec. 2025
The original movie is simultaneously at its best and its worst during a sequence when Yongary inexplicably dances to surf rock alongside the plucky young boy protagonist.
—James Grebey, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025
Snow starred on the series for its entire three-season run, playing a Philadelphia teen in the 1960s who dances on Dick Clark's American Bandstand.
—Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 20 Nov. 2025
The shy, sickly seamstress Mimi becomes the HIV-positive junkie Mimi who dances at a strip club to support her drug habit.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Nov. 2025
It is aimed at combining the cultural influence of its host city with the daring fashion that dances across the pages of the magazine.
—Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 27 Oct. 2025
The flame also dances back and forth for an even more convincing look.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dances
Noun
-
While all of this was going on across the country, retro recruits (also known as high school seniors) were saying goodbye to their families, their pals and their proms.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Paige Bueckers strolled into Unrivaled carrying the kind of aura that usually bends the room before a player ever steps on the floor.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
6 Jan. 2026
-
The Pope Francis Center is set to open Monday, steps away from Our Lady of Guadalupe.—
Alexandra Mendoza,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The 18-year-old Englishman became the youngest ever darts world champion a year ago after beating three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen.—
Caoimhe O'Neill,
New York Times,
3 Jan. 2026
-
Running back Greg Burrell rushes for four yards before Jackson darts up the middle for 14 yards.—
Caleb Yum,
Austin American Statesman,
29 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The Town of Addison has officially canceled Taste Addison, ending a three‑decade run for one of North Texas' most recognizable food and music festivals.—
Robbie Owens,
CBS News,
10 Jan. 2026
-
The film has traveled really well in festivals this year and won great awards.—
Destiny Jackson,
Deadline,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Identity takes the lead as the Moon flits into your sign, so your tone, pace, and choices are most likely to set the mood for everyone today.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Meanwhile, her husband flits in and out of town plying his opaque trade.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
27 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
On September 27, the Goop founder got all dressed up for her birthday festivities in Portofino, Italy.—
Alyssa Grabinski,
PEOPLE,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Playing into the formal black-tie feel of the night, Meghan Markle rolled up to the festivities wearing a demure—but very chic—black ensemble.—
Christian Allaire,
Vogue,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
That is not unique — Major League Baseball’s offseason shuffles along at a deliberate pace, just as the Dodgers historically have liked.—
Katie Woo,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
-
In front of me, as various motors rev up to speed, the robot shuffles in place, looking like an arthritic boxer readying for a fight.—
James Vincent,
Harpers Magazine,
30 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Cuba's President Miguel Diaz-Canel (center) flutters a Venezuelan and Cuban national flags in support of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro in Havana.—
Kiki Intarasuwan,
CBS News,
3 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dances.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dances. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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