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

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

Speirs began moving and grooving between innings, choreographing dances for each player’s walk-up song. — Abigail Dollins, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Aug. 2026 But instead, Lee traded in school dances, graduations and family birthdays for connections all around the world. — Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 31 July 2026 Becoming the face of a franchise soon entering a post-Stafford world would require more than broken tackles and touchdown dances. — Nate Atkins, New York Times, 30 July 2026 The entire two-story project was designed to be used 365 days a year, Burk said, and the school has already booked upcoming Christmas parties, corporate retreats and dances. — Rachel Roberts, Idaho Statesman, 30 July 2026 John Travolta–already rolling from his Saturday Night Fever fame–dances up a storm, and along with the rest of a stellar cast, sets the bar for adult actors playing high school students. — Devonne Goode, Parents, 26 July 2026 The West End production dances onto 1,948 screens in a special engagement that was meant to be five nights only with limited showtimes but has expanded due to demand with exhibitors adding screenings. — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 24 July 2026 Instead, the prolific, up-and-coming filmmaker luxuriates in dances under the moonlight, fiery rituals and glimpses of memory, conceived with an ethereal quality in collaboration with cinematographer Eily Sprungman. — Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 20 July 2026 The parades — accompanied by dances, music and song — draw large crowds and tourists every year. — ABC News, 19 July 2026

Verb

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 This stubbornly optimistic place, where family after family scrapes and claws and laughs and dances their way to a better tomorrow. — Sara Tenenbaum, CBS News, 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 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dances

Noun

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
Their stores specialize in dresses for proms, weddings, special occasions and quinceañeras.

— Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2026

Definition of proms

Verb

Here, members of Forbes Technology Council share steps tech leaders can take to build teams where everyone can participate, grow and thrive.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
Zach Carter steps on floating peat mat in the Okefenokee Swamp, Tuesday, August 12, 2025, in Folkston.

— Charles Seabrook, AJC.com, 25 July 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

Java Films, which took worldwide distribution rights in January, has also revealed a mid-October release for the film, which has played a string of festivals including Austin, Palm Springs and Cleveland.

— Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 3 Aug. 2026
In her downtime, the singer has also attended award shows, film and music festivals, and fashion shows, all while showing off an array of designer shoes.

— Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 31 July 2026

Definition of festivals

Verb

On a cloudy-white Sunday morning in June, Joey Phelps shuffles into the familiar back pew of Yeakley Chapel, the small Methodist church that has been a part of his life for nearly 50 years.

— Harry Bruinius, Christian Science Monitor, 5 July 2026
As though on cue, Wardrobe — my beloved, and giant, closet — shuffles over from the corner of my room, the mahogany wood groaning with the effort.

— Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 25 June 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

Balboa Park’s largest event of the year is the food-and-entertainment-filled December Nights, which draws crowds of 350,000 people over one weekend for holiday festivities.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 July 2026
Researchers think geoglyphs may have served ceremonial or cultural purposes, such as a hosting site for festivities, but their exact function is still up for debate.

— Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 29 July 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