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
Caroline Ritzie, Cincinnati Enquirer, 1 Oct. 2025
The African roots of cumbia are expressed not only through its percussion instruments - the tambor alegre, the llamador and the tambora - but also through the voices of ancestors reflected in the sung dances of the region.
—Karla Gachet, NPR, 1 Oct. 2025
The chat dances to the easy and comfortable rhythm of the conversational tide.
—Jonny Thomson, Big Think, 1 Oct. 2025
The couples performed dances including the Cha Cha, Foxtrot, Jazz, Salsa, Samba, Tango and Quickstep to songs that have dominated TikTok.
—Brianne Tracy, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025
The different dances seemed to communicate distance.
—Danny Robb, JSTOR Daily, 1 Oct. 2025
Chile’s Antumapu Folkloric Ballet will come to Miami for the first time in its more than 50-year history, presenting a program of emblematic folk dances at the Miami Beach Bandshell.
—Orlando Taquechel, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2025
Enforced primarily by judge Carrie Ann Inaba, the rule prohibits lifts in traditional ballroom and Latin dances—defined as any moment when a dancer has both feet off the ground with help from their partner.
—Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
In the video, a shirtless David struts and dances across the stage to the groovy new tune.
—Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 24 Sep. 2025
Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Sep. 2025
For the song’s visuals, the two stand above the empty swimming pool as a woman dances at the center.
—Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 23 Sep. 2025
In the final seconds of the Sex and the City revival series, Carrie dances down the hallway of her Gramercy Park townhome in a flirty outfit while Barry White plays, embracing her singledom.
—Carson Blackwelder, People.com, 21 Aug. 2025
Noun
Don't miss the Trachten Parade with over 150 participants dressed in authentic German costumes and dances by Donauschwaben and the Enzian dance groups.
—Caroline Ritzie, Cincinnati Enquirer, 1 Oct. 2025
The African roots of cumbia are expressed not only through its percussion instruments - the tambor alegre, the llamador and the tambora - but also through the voices of ancestors reflected in the sung dances of the region.
—Karla Gachet, NPR, 1 Oct. 2025
The chat dances to the easy and comfortable rhythm of the conversational tide.
—Jonny Thomson, Big Think, 1 Oct. 2025
The couples performed dances including the Cha Cha, Foxtrot, Jazz, Salsa, Samba, Tango and Quickstep to songs that have dominated TikTok.
—Brianne Tracy, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025
The different dances seemed to communicate distance.
—Danny Robb, JSTOR Daily, 1 Oct. 2025
Chile’s Antumapu Folkloric Ballet will come to Miami for the first time in its more than 50-year history, presenting a program of emblematic folk dances at the Miami Beach Bandshell.
—Orlando Taquechel, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2025
Enforced primarily by judge Carrie Ann Inaba, the rule prohibits lifts in traditional ballroom and Latin dances—defined as any moment when a dancer has both feet off the ground with help from their partner.
—Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
In the video, a shirtless David struts and dances across the stage to the groovy new tune.
—Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 24 Sep. 2025
Verb
The flame also dances back and forth for an even more convincing look.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Sep. 2025
For the song’s visuals, the two stand above the empty swimming pool as a woman dances at the center.
—Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 23 Sep. 2025
In the final seconds of the Sex and the City revival series, Carrie dances down the hallway of her Gramercy Park townhome in a flirty outfit while Barry White plays, embracing her singledom.
—Carson Blackwelder, People.com, 21 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dances
Verb
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Or, plan a stay at the sleek Trunk Hotel in the popular neighborhood of Shibuya, just steps away from a number of popular city attractions.—
Kristin Braswell,
Travel + Leisure,
28 Sep. 2025
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Elizabeth turns as Joanna steps through a set of double doors onto the terrace.—
Lizz Schumer,
PEOPLE,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Alex is a cop, and his partner, Dwayne (Brandon Jay McLaren), begins to tell him about how nothing ever happens in the town when Riley, a shoeless bloody escapee from the Tall Pines facility, darts into the road in front of their cruiser.—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
25 Sep. 2025
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In a surveillance video released by authorities, Robinson allegedly darts across the roof after firing the single shot, jimmies down to a ledge and jumps to the grass below.—
Rick Jervis,
USA Today,
14 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Four-fifths of the money goes to film projects; the rest goes to organizations such as the film academy and festivals.—
Gershom Gorenberg,
The Atlantic,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Celebrate Bavarian culture at Oktoberfest Oktoberfest festivals are still happening throughout the capital region, showcasing German culture from brews, steins, sausages, lederhosen and dancing.—
Marcus Smith,
Sacbee.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The episode’s first half feels like the work of a misguided pest, and Beto’s filmmaking, which flits between several different styles and cuts between multiple angles sometimes within the course of one interview segment, doesn’t help.—
Keith Phipps,
Vulture,
28 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The hairs on the back of the neck still stand up now when thinking of the post-match celebrations after David Seaman’s penalty save dumped out Spain in the quarter-finals.—
Richard Sutcliffe,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
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In a last-gasp play, Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts threw long into the end zone, but the Broncos defense managed to bat it away to spark jubilant celebrations from the visiting fans.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Gakpo is deeper, and Wirtz pushes forward as the central member of Liverpool’s forward line, while Ekitike shuffles across as the left of the trio.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
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Because global air travel shuffles millions of people around the world daily, an outbreak of a very contagious disease anywhere can become a threat everywhere.—
Amy E. Stambach,
The Conversation,
12 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The event is one of several festivities scheduled across the nation leading up to America's official quarter-millennial on July 4, 2026.—
Haadiza Ogwude,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
5 Oct. 2025
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On September 27, the Goop founder got all dressed up for her birthday festivities in Portofino, Italy.—
Alyssa Grabinski,
PEOPLE,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
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At the Barclays, Ellie struts the halls—all eyes are on her and her entourage.—
Marc Williams,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
26 Sep. 2025
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The only actor who looks at home here is Chloë Sevigny as Kim, the resident Yale Philosophy Department psychotherapist, who struts through the movie in a series of baggy suits and a curly bowl haircut that wouldn’t be out of place on the Beverly Hillbillies’ Miss Jane Hathaway.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
29 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dances.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dances. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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