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
Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 27 Jan. 2026
During the waltz, the first of four dances at Nagano, Grishuk lost her edge on a twizzle and misstepped.
—Natasha O'Neill, Vanity Fair, 26 Jan. 2026
On that Tuesday night in November, as on most Tuesdays, the room was being used as a classroom for Ruzicka and more than two dozen others to learn the dances and social etiquette of the 19th century English ballroom.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 24 Jan. 2026
Exams, sports, dances and other student activities are rescheduled on a case-by-case basis.
—Paula Wethington, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
Guests have blabbed that things were definitely awkward during one of the newlyweds’ first dances to an undisclosed song by the celebrity performer, Marc Anthony.
—Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 21 Jan. 2026
During the performance, Morales dances in the water, spins upside down, and showcases her diving and dancing skills in one of eight aquariums that were built into the theater.
—Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 18 Jan. 2026
The Columbus Learning Center showcases Sun Garden Panels in Suspended Circle, a set of 32 plexiglass panels painted and signed by Chihuly, and arranged around a skylight so sunlight dances through the colors.
—Vivian Chung, Travel + Leisure, 17 Jan. 2026
In the video, Gordon shoots hoops, dances freely, and swings her guitar around in circles, mirroring her unexpected freedom in the recording studio.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 14 Jan. 2026
Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 23 Jan. 2026
Maurice Vasquez dances in his prison cell to blaring rap music, wearing a straw hat and designer glasses.
—Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2026
Louis-Dreyfus played Elaine Benes, Jerry's ex-girlfriend who dances poorly and inadvertently steals intellectual property from Tom Wilson II, the creator of Ziggy.
—Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Dec. 2025
Heikki Lunta Festival Negaunee, Michigan The Heikki Lunta Festival pays homage to a beloved local legend, the fictional snow god who dances for fresh snow.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Midwest Living, 29 Dec. 2025
The original movie is simultaneously at its best and its worst during a sequence when Yongary inexplicably dances to surf rock alongside the plucky young boy protagonist.
—James Grebey, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025
Snow starred on the series for its entire three-season run, playing a Philadelphia teen in the 1960s who dances on Dick Clark's American Bandstand.
—Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 20 Nov. 2025
The shy, sickly seamstress Mimi becomes the HIV-positive junkie Mimi who dances at a strip club to support her drug habit.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Nov. 2025
It is aimed at combining the cultural influence of its host city with the daring fashion that dances across the pages of the magazine.
—Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 27 Oct. 2025
Noun
One standout team was organized by former Elgin Community College President David Sam, who worked with ECC staff on dances representing their cultural music, Fox said.
—Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 27 Jan. 2026
During the waltz, the first of four dances at Nagano, Grishuk lost her edge on a twizzle and misstepped.
—Natasha O'Neill, Vanity Fair, 26 Jan. 2026
On that Tuesday night in November, as on most Tuesdays, the room was being used as a classroom for Ruzicka and more than two dozen others to learn the dances and social etiquette of the 19th century English ballroom.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 24 Jan. 2026
Exams, sports, dances and other student activities are rescheduled on a case-by-case basis.
—Paula Wethington, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
Guests have blabbed that things were definitely awkward during one of the newlyweds’ first dances to an undisclosed song by the celebrity performer, Marc Anthony.
—Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 21 Jan. 2026
During the performance, Morales dances in the water, spins upside down, and showcases her diving and dancing skills in one of eight aquariums that were built into the theater.
—Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 18 Jan. 2026
The Columbus Learning Center showcases Sun Garden Panels in Suspended Circle, a set of 32 plexiglass panels painted and signed by Chihuly, and arranged around a skylight so sunlight dances through the colors.
—Vivian Chung, Travel + Leisure, 17 Jan. 2026
In the video, Gordon shoots hoops, dances freely, and swings her guitar around in circles, mirroring her unexpected freedom in the recording studio.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 14 Jan. 2026
Verb
Then Ross dances the line between Zionism and Judaism.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 23 Jan. 2026
Maurice Vasquez dances in his prison cell to blaring rap music, wearing a straw hat and designer glasses.
—Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2026
Louis-Dreyfus played Elaine Benes, Jerry's ex-girlfriend who dances poorly and inadvertently steals intellectual property from Tom Wilson II, the creator of Ziggy.
—Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Dec. 2025
Heikki Lunta Festival Negaunee, Michigan The Heikki Lunta Festival pays homage to a beloved local legend, the fictional snow god who dances for fresh snow.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Midwest Living, 29 Dec. 2025
The original movie is simultaneously at its best and its worst during a sequence when Yongary inexplicably dances to surf rock alongside the plucky young boy protagonist.
—James Grebey, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025
Snow starred on the series for its entire three-season run, playing a Philadelphia teen in the 1960s who dances on Dick Clark's American Bandstand.
—Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 20 Nov. 2025
The shy, sickly seamstress Mimi becomes the HIV-positive junkie Mimi who dances at a strip club to support her drug habit.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Nov. 2025
It is aimed at combining the cultural influence of its host city with the daring fashion that dances across the pages of the magazine.
—Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 27 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dances
Noun
-
The trolley has been used for events like weddings and proms for over a decade.—
Maggie Menderski,
Louisville Courier Journal,
13 Jan. 2026
-
While all of this was going on across the country, retro recruits (also known as high school seniors) were saying goodbye to their families, their pals and their proms.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Paige Bueckers strolled into Unrivaled carrying the kind of aura that usually bends the room before a player ever steps on the floor.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
6 Jan. 2026
-
The Pope Francis Center is set to open Monday, steps away from Our Lady of Guadalupe.—
Alexandra Mendoza,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
When Samson starts coming round in search of more of the morphine darts Kelson has been using to subdue him — not even zombies are immune to the appeal of opiates — Kelson starts treating his wounds, then joining him in his doses, then dancing with him to fragments of ’80s songs.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
17 Jan. 2026
-
The Easter eggs of art history are plentiful, telling a story that dips and darts in many thrilling directions.—
David John Chávez,
Mercury News,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Visit the chestnut, prosciutto and truffle festivals.—
Laura Begley Bloom,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Contemporary galleries like Canyon Road Contemporary Art, Edition One Gallery, and GF Contemporary, all of which are women-owned, add to the mix, highlighting innovative art from around the world and presenting an exciting calendar of art exhibitions, festivals, and shows.—
Condé Nast Traveler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
As the movie flits between these different storylines, time is reframed less as something to resist (or defy) than as something to embrace.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Identity takes the lead as the Moon flits into your sign, so your tone, pace, and choices are most likely to set the mood for everyone today.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The interception has created countless opportunities for Butler, who has attended Super Bowl festivities and Patriots alumni events over the years.—
Jeff Howe,
New York Times,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Richardson, now 45, enjoys All-Star Weekend and is delighted to see the festivities back in the city where his NBA journey started.—
Steve Galluzzo,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Tristan returns home and greets James while Siegfried shuffles the woman out the window.—
Alice Burton,
Vulture,
12 Jan. 2026
-
That is not unique — Major League Baseball’s offseason shuffles along at a deliberate pace, just as the Dodgers historically have liked.—
Katie Woo,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
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 2 Feb. 2026.
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