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

Seats were placed around the circle for visitors to witness firsthand the ancient drumming, chants, and intertribal dances carried by the wind and heard nearly two miles away, at the lakefront’s Geo-Karis State Park. — Gregory Harutunian, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026 The crowd points their phones at the pair, who are alternating between short dances, rhythmic movements, and striking poses. — Mitchell McCluskey, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026 Learn line dancing with step-by-step instruction of easy-to-do-dances by instructor Delia Schletter. — Hema Sivanandam, Mercury News, 24 Aug. 2026 Doing ‘good medicine’ for the community On Saturday, the gathering’s 38th iteration opened with a crew of dancers performing traditional Native dances to welcome the greater Native Californian community to their event. — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 23 Aug. 2026 That term has taken on a life of its own, as people are making dances to phrase and using it in conversation. — Moises Mendez Ii, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026 The couple is announced and shares a dance, followed by mother/son and father/daughter dances, when applicable. — Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 15 Aug. 2026 The styling, the photos, the posts, the dances, the pace of the platforms. — Advertorial, Footwear News, 13 Aug. 2026 When drug traffickers allegedly subsidize TikTok dances, a victim’s innocence can be almost impossible to discern. — Kevin Sieff, The Atlantic, 13 Aug. 2026

Verb

Jennifer Corey dances the Viennese Waltz with student Michael Moore Thursday, March 12, 2015, at the Denver Turnverein in Denver, Colorado. — Christa Swanson, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026 The Dancing Queen dances like no one is watching, however, all eyes are on her. — Abigail Dollins, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Aug. 2026 Alvarez dances with Frankie Grande, Ariana’s brother, during her Brooklyn concert, receiving the family blessing. — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 20 July 2026 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 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dances

Noun

In addition to showing up everywhere, from festivals to parades and weddings to proms, the Wienermobile has also helped people, including Drew Barrymore, celebrate their birthdays over the decades with special stops made in their honor.

— Stacy Lambe, PEOPLE, 31 July 2026
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

Definition of proms

Verb

Blanding was pregnant with her first child at the time, and the sisters quickly began imagining what life could look like with their separate homes just steps away from each other.

— Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 17 Aug. 2026
Here, the five-course tasting menu is based around what’s fresh on the farm, just steps away.

— Mark Johansen, Travel + Leisure, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of steps

Verb

Teenage darts champion and prodigy Luke Littler is headlining Netflix‘s next big live event.

— Max Goldbart, Deadline, 27 July 2026
There’s more — Arsenal’s Max Dowman, darts phenom Luke Littler, swimmer Summer McIntosh and basketball star Cooper Flagg have all been talked about as potential game-changers in their sports.

— Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 25 July 2026

Definition of darts

Noun

Watts was also scheduled to perform at both the Shambala and Greenbelt festivals in Northamptonshire, England, this week, but his name has since been wiped from their websites.

— Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 24 Aug. 2026
Rather than approaching films through festivals, streaming platforms, or theatrical circuits, Arbelos chose to think in decades rather than release windows.

— José Salazar, IndieWire, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of festivals

Verb

In the clip, Dawkins shuffles out onto the field with no shirt, a pair of Crocs and a clear plastic bag ready to get the ol' inside-out treatment.

— Matt Reigle OutKick, FOXNews.com, 16 Aug. 2026
An exhibition game also shuffles the storylines — some players emerge, others might fade.

— Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 15 Aug. 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

For the actual Democrat Day festivities featuring party leaders, candidates and officeholders, Welch was a notable no-show.

— Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2026
Leu Gardens invites visitors for an enchanting evening of fairy festivities in a whimsical celebration at Orlando’s 50-acre botanical oasis.

— Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of festivities

Verb

Tracee Ellis Ross struts her stuff on the way out of Watch What Happens Live in New York City on July 23.

— People Staff, PEOPLE, 25 July 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