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

Relevance

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

For Linda Haberman, returning to Bob Fosse’s dances represents a full-circle moment. — Lauren Warnecke, Chicago Tribune, 9 Nov. 2026 Though the crowd never seems to break a sweat, they’re engaged through the hour-plus set, occasionally singing along and doing little solo swing dances in place. — Elisabeth Garber-Paul, Rolling Stone, 7 Nov. 2026 Doherty blends biography and fiction, myth and rock-and-roll in her dances. — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 3 Nov. 2026 The final two dances before the groups assembled for the climactic showdown were by Dewan and her pro partner, Val Chmerkovskiy, and Wood and his pro partner, Rylee Arnold. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Nov. 2026 Their castings as the sole athletes on this season of the show was further winked at with the professional dancers they’re partnered with; Frech dances with Daniella Karagach, and Amber is with Pasha Pashkov, the two of whom are married. — Mckinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 2 Nov. 2026 In one recent short video, Hoffman dances to a pop song, Nina Nox’s Good Without You, and closes by giving a middle finger to the camera and lip-syncing. — Ben Smith, semafor.com, 2 Nov. 2026 After emigrating to California in 1999, Arambula continued to teach traditional Mexican folk dances at schools and churches while establishing the performance troupe Ballet Folklórico El Tapatio. — Marcia Luttrell, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Oct. 2026 Margate also helps teach traditional Filipino dances, including tinikling. — Charlie Lapastora, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026

Verb

In the club, Matt dances with other girls and, with Fraser’s encouragement, Kaylee kisses a random guy in front of Matt. — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2026 After all, The Wicker Husband dances proudly with his wife in front of everyone, satisfies her enough to break their bed, and then fixes said bed without being asked. — Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 28 Oct. 2026 There’s something in the imperfection of humanity, and the interior life of someone who dances or even someone who just smokes a cigarette, that’s not quite there yet. — Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 20 Oct. 2026 First, the sequence pays homage to the nightclub scene in Gilda (1946), in which Rita Hayworth dances in a long shot amid ogling male patrons, tracked by a concentrated spotlight. — Harmon Siegel, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026 Noa dances viciously, slamming her body raw in front of the stage. — Robert Rubsam, New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2026 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 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

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

And on this tour, Pineda steps to the side quite a few times to grab a breath and allow Cain, drummer Deen Castronovo, and keyboardist Jason Derlatka a chance to sing a song or two.

— Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 3 Nov. 2026
According to Shuter, the Royal Household has strict security protocols in place for anyone who steps foot in a royal home.

— Allison DeGrushe, StyleCaster, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of steps

Verb

In non-linear fashion, Sorkin’s scenario darts back and forth between 2018, ’19, ’20 and ’21, offering a puzzle that eventually will come all together.

— Pete Hammond, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026
Sam Levy’s editing likewise darts associatively between these moods, seemingly letting sense memory shape the chronology of proceedings.

— Guy Lodge, Variety, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of darts

Noun

National election days in the United States of America are biennial festivals of noise over signal.

— Ben Smith, semafor.com, 3 Nov. 2026
Atkins continued to tour and play prominent festivals like Detroit’s Movement and Amsterdam’s Dekmantel, often with his daughter, the musician Milan Ariel Atkins.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of festivals

Verb

Stellantis There's also all the homologation and regulatory hurdles attached to having something that flits between being a passenger-car and a light truck.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 13 Oct. 2026
Jeffrey said his father flits about from KC to his 35 international restaurants, which are located in the Middle East, Asia and beyond.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of flits

Noun

The walls of 6330 Brookside Plaza have held festivities since 1985.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 11 Nov. 2026
Like many members of the Puerto Rican diaspora, my family traveled back to the island for the festivities, alternating each year between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

— Von Diaz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 Nov. 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