DANCES Synonyms: 80 Similar and Opposite Words

dances 1 of 2

noun

plural of dance

as in proms

a social gathering for dancing who are you taking to the dance on Saturday night?

Synonyms & Similar Words

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dances

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of dance

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

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

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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 dances

Noun

Once known best for her #MomTok dances, the 33-year-old Brigham Young University fine arts graduate and mother of three in 2025 successfully collapsed the boundary between creator culture and traditional entertainment. — Emma Barker Bonomo, Time, 14 July 2026 The transitions from dialogue to songs to dances to corny one-liners is so fluid that the show is like one long dance. — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 6 July 2026 But perhaps, most bittersweet were the final dances from some of the greatest soccer players seen in a generation. — Juliana Kim, NPR, 6 July 2026 The song has since soundtracked countless proposals and first dances for Swifties and their betrothed all over the world. — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 2 July 2026 The center hosts a range of events, including plays, art shows, concerts, movies, dances, festivals, and other special events. — Korrin Bishop, Southern Living, 1 July 2026 For Midsummer this June, traditional festivities celebrating the summer solstice across Europe featured flower crowns, dances around maypoles, and people in embroidered folk costumes. — Francesca Perry, Vogue, 29 June 2026 Arwood dances during the talent preliminary competition of the Miss Georgia Scholarship Competition. — Kaitlyn Harvey, AJC.com, 29 June 2026 There will be speakers, traditional dances and ceremonies, with additional events in the nearby Montana region, the park service said. — Paula Wethington, CBS News, 25 June 2026

Verb

This book about a couple in complex crisis creates a sense of political alienation that The Drama frankly dances around. — Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 2 July 2026 Listen to the supple bass line, which dances throughout the song as its own character. — Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 18 June 2026 This stubbornly optimistic place, where family after family scrapes and claws and laughs and dances their way to a better tomorrow. — Sara Tenenbaum, CBS News, 18 June 2026 The truffle vinaigrette drizzled atop imparts an earthy aroma and complexity that dances with the lobster and wagyu’s profiles. — Aly Walansky, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026 This week, Olivia Rodrigo dances her way into her sweetheart’s arms on a standout from You Seem Pretty Sad, New York rockers Interpol offer a first look into their new album, and L’Rain alchemizes distortion and harmony on an avalanche of a track. — Rolling Stone, 12 June 2026 And Floyd Smernitch dances plenty. — Daniel D'addario, Variety, 10 June 2026 Demi Remick, who currently dances alongside a live iteration of the YouTube sensation Postmodern Jukebox, is adapting Eleanor Powell’s solos from Hollywood’s Golden Age. — Lauren Warnecke, Chicago Tribune, 29 May 2026 The food dances seamlessly between Asian flavors, pulling inspiration from Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, and more, and local ingredients from the Gulf South. — Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 9 Apr. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dances

Noun

Dunkin’ Prom, which funds alternative proms for teens who may have missed theirs for medical reasons and lastly, grants to customize hospital spaces to create joy.

— Zuri Primos June 29, Kansas City Star, 29 June 2026
Their stores specialize in dresses for proms, weddings, special occasions and quinceañeras.

— Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2026

Definition of proms

Verb

For a romantic dinner, look no further than Harbor Fish Market & Grille, with great views of Lake Michigan just steps away.

— Kristine Hansen, Travel + Leisure, 10 July 2026
The new 6th Street Bridge, hailed as a civic landmark just steps away, was promptly stripped of its wiring by vandals and now sits pitch black at night.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026

Definition of steps

Noun

Presidents use it to vaunt France’s accomplishments and national pride, mayors host village festivals and families gather for holiday meals.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 July 2026
Undeniable is the sense of momentum and yearning for stability of an exciting new generation of Costa Rican directors, often women, scoring selection at A-list festivals.

— John Hopewell, Variety, 13 July 2026

Definition of festivals

Verb

As though on cue, Wardrobe — my beloved, and giant, closet — shuffles over from the corner of my room, the mahogany wood groaning with the effort.

— Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 25 June 2026
As the entire Qatar back line shuffles closer to the goal, Jonathan David drops off towards the penalty spot to receive the cross in space and shoot first time.

— Mark Carey, New York Times, 24 June 2026

Definition of shuffles

Verb

As Photay, Shornstein—a master synthesist and producer—flits between atmospheric house, dubby breakbeat workouts, and chirping electro funk, building his songs’ arrangements into strange, angular shapes.

— Dash Lewis, Pitchfork, 16 June 2026
Upstairs, a disco deep cut plays while Byrd flits about greeting everyone.

— Mike Albo, Vulture, 2 June 2026

Definition of flits

Noun

The festivities actually get started with a pre-party show on July 17 headlined by Stockton indie-rock legends Pavement and also featuring bootgazers Wednesday and indie-rock act Vivian Girls.

— Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 8 July 2026
After last weekend’s festivities at Madison Square Garden, Swift has yet to share photos of her custom Dior haute couture wedding gown publicly — or any of her other wedding weekend attire.

— Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 8 July 2026

Definition of festivities

Verb

Chloe Bailey struts the streets of New York City in a fun ensemble on June 23.

— Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 26 June 2026
The movie plunks us down at Mar-a-Lago, where Melania struts out the door and into the back of an SUV, which will take her to the red-white-and-blue private plane painted with the word TRUMP that’s waiting for her at the airport.

— Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 30 Jan. 2026