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
Jessica Kozuka, Travel + Leisure, 1 June 2026
Also, get the chance to watch traditional dances.
—Hema Sivanandam, Mercury News, 1 June 2026
To her daughter, 8-year-old Hazel (Nola Wallace), Paula is the fun parent, a mom who encourages ice cream for dinner, embraces cursing, enthusiastically participates in TikTok dances, and even coaches her daughter’s youth soccer team.
—Erin Qualey, Vulture, 29 May 2026
The Stomp-Clap Song and the Gingerbread Cookie Dance, both released in 2021, had already given them some inkling that videos that taught dances were a potentially popular niche.
—Veronique Greenwood, Time, 29 May 2026
At the end of the presentation, a woman hands the hitmaker a bouquet of flowers as the star waves to the crowd and dances.
—Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 29 May 2026
Director Molly Smith considers the universal experience of aging in curating a series of dances composed by tap dancers from within the company’s ranks, each at different points on that inevitable journey.
—Lauren Warnecke, Chicago Tribune, 29 May 2026
Between takes, Liu did TikTok dances, trying to summon the right energy.
—Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 17 May 2026
Venus, planet of relationships, dances into Cancer from May 18 until June 13, which will bring a sensual, tender, and compassionate energy to our lives — and can improve connections with family or encourage us to cozy up at home.
—Kyle Thomas, PEOPLE, 17 May 2026
Lauren Warnecke, Chicago Tribune, 29 May 2026
Tolly Sherry dances with her son Brad at his wedding.
—Wakisha Bailey, CBS News, 27 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
Guided by the imperious voiceover of family matriarch Ann (Francis Annis), Soames chases after the lovely Irene (Millie Gibson), who scandalously dances ballet and wants to go to Paris.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 23 Mar. 2026
Then Nelson dances a guy in the neutral zone and gets tripped … like, that’s what the penalties are for.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 11 Mar. 2026
Farrow said her favorite styles of dance are ballet and hip-hop, and her best friend also dances at the studio.
—Amy Stark Shireman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026
Now, Josie dances this crazy explosion in front of her.
—Marta Balaga, Variety, 16 Feb. 2026
But the composer also makes great use of the saxophone, which playfully dances through melodies that transport the viewer back to the swinging '60s and evokes the spirit of Henry Mancini.
—Alex Galbraith, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Feb. 2026
Noun
These die-hard fans memorize songs, dances, and individual cheers for each player to keep the energy high, and their antics are at least as interesting as the action on the field.
—Jessica Kozuka, Travel + Leisure, 1 June 2026
Also, get the chance to watch traditional dances.
—Hema Sivanandam, Mercury News, 1 June 2026
To her daughter, 8-year-old Hazel (Nola Wallace), Paula is the fun parent, a mom who encourages ice cream for dinner, embraces cursing, enthusiastically participates in TikTok dances, and even coaches her daughter’s youth soccer team.
—Erin Qualey, Vulture, 29 May 2026
The Stomp-Clap Song and the Gingerbread Cookie Dance, both released in 2021, had already given them some inkling that videos that taught dances were a potentially popular niche.
—Veronique Greenwood, Time, 29 May 2026
At the end of the presentation, a woman hands the hitmaker a bouquet of flowers as the star waves to the crowd and dances.
—Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 29 May 2026
Director Molly Smith considers the universal experience of aging in curating a series of dances composed by tap dancers from within the company’s ranks, each at different points on that inevitable journey.
—Lauren Warnecke, Chicago Tribune, 29 May 2026
Between takes, Liu did TikTok dances, trying to summon the right energy.
—Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 17 May 2026
Venus, planet of relationships, dances into Cancer from May 18 until June 13, which will bring a sensual, tender, and compassionate energy to our lives — and can improve connections with family or encourage us to cozy up at home.
—Kyle Thomas, PEOPLE, 17 May 2026
Verb
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
Tolly Sherry dances with her son Brad at his wedding.
—Wakisha Bailey, CBS News, 27 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
Guided by the imperious voiceover of family matriarch Ann (Francis Annis), Soames chases after the lovely Irene (Millie Gibson), who scandalously dances ballet and wants to go to Paris.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 23 Mar. 2026
Then Nelson dances a guy in the neutral zone and gets tripped … like, that’s what the penalties are for.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 11 Mar. 2026
Farrow said her favorite styles of dance are ballet and hip-hop, and her best friend also dances at the studio.
—Amy Stark Shireman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026
Now, Josie dances this crazy explosion in front of her.
—Marta Balaga, Variety, 16 Feb. 2026
But the composer also makes great use of the saxophone, which playfully dances through melodies that transport the viewer back to the swinging '60s and evokes the spirit of Henry Mancini.
—Alex Galbraith, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dances
Noun
-
That philosophy extends across the property and informs its relationship with the local community, many of whom experienced the hotel through proms, weddings and milestone events over the decades.—
Jesse Scott,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
-
Year after year, high school proms become more over the top, from elaborate prom-posals to full-on photoshoots.—
Jermont Terry,
CBS News,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
In Florida, a meteorologist steps outside her office at dawn to look up as the thin flakes of a light snow begin to fall between the fronds of the palm trees.—
Wyatt Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
26 May 2026
-
Villa Relais Il Termine sits inside a lush forest just steps away from the shore.—
Stacey Leasca,
Travel + Leisure,
23 May 2026
Verb
-
Club Kid runs right up to and then darts around so many potential cliches in a way that’s really satisfying.—
Rachel Handler,
Vulture,
26 May 2026
-
The striker is initially in a central area but then darts to the right side.—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
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In that spirit, here are five smaller, more affordable summer music festivals on the Front Range that offer an alternative to big events — and possibly the most bang for your buck.—
John Wenzel,
Denver Post,
4 June 2026
-
The festivals specialist, who nurtures close ties to Hollywood, revived Taormina’s competitive strands and brought major names such as Martin Scorsese to speak at the festival in her return year.—
Rafa Sales Ross,
Variety,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
Upstairs, a disco deep cut plays while Byrd flits about greeting everyone.—
Mike Albo,
Vulture,
2 June 2026
-
Their father, Nahuel (Amién), flits from one romantic affair to another, failing to recognize his shortcomings the way fathers typically forget minor yet significant details, like mistaking his younger daughter’s shoe size or never delivering on his promise to have the sink fixed.—
Lé Baltar,
IndieWire,
16 May 2026
Noun
-
Nantucket’s town/county government is still scheduled to hold its Independence Day festivities, with a fireworks display capping off the day-long celebration.—
Lance Reynolds,
Boston Herald,
30 May 2026
-
The city has added another option, likely aimed at local attendees who would like to drive and park during the soccer celebration festivities.—
PJ Green,
Kansas City Star,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
At the sound of morning prayers, an older Clarissa awakens from this dream and shuffles out to her lawn, where the leafy bush has been replaced with the industrial skyline of Lagos.—
Lovia Gyarkye,
HollywoodReporter,
16 May 2026
-
Tristan returns home and greets James while Siegfried shuffles the woman out the window.—
Alice Burton,
Vulture,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Iran’s flag before the 1979 revolution — green, white and red with a lion and a rising sun — flutters from many overhangs.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
-
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 6 Jun. 2026.
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