1
as in stepping
to perform a series of usually rhythmic bodily movements to music
she can't resist dancing to her favorite rock bands
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in darting
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 dancing
Large crowds of onlookers were treated to a performance of boxing and dancing on the show floor.
—
Kif Leswing, CNBC, 9 Jan. 2026
The images show vivid auroras dancing overhead and a fox below who seems far more interested in the photographer than the light show unfolding above.
—Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 9 Jan. 2026
Norman has also had a successful career in both dancing and acting.
—Skyler Trepel, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
And started dancing in the street.
—Jennifer Hassan, Washington Post, 9 Jan. 2026
Its swirling indie-pop hooks and jammy prog-rock ideas are practically written with the vision of people dancing around you, their hands raised in the air.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 8 Jan. 2026
Black folks were laughing, dancing, taking photos, showing off their fits, and fully enjoying themselves.
—Sandy Pierre, Refinery29, 7 Nov. 2025
For five hours Wednesday night at Bal Harbour Shops in north Miami, the Champagne was flowing, the crowd was dancing and mood was completely festive.
—David Moin, Footwear News, 6 Nov. 2025
The rapper shared the track alongside a music video, which sees her strutting and dancing around a mansion.
—Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 6 Nov. 2025
Kif Leswing, CNBC, 9 Jan. 2026
The images show vivid auroras dancing overhead and a fox below who seems far more interested in the photographer than the light show unfolding above.
—Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 9 Jan. 2026
Norman has also had a successful career in both dancing and acting.
—Skyler Trepel, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
And started dancing in the street.
—Jennifer Hassan, Washington Post, 9 Jan. 2026
Its swirling indie-pop hooks and jammy prog-rock ideas are practically written with the vision of people dancing around you, their hands raised in the air.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 8 Jan. 2026
Black folks were laughing, dancing, taking photos, showing off their fits, and fully enjoying themselves.
—Sandy Pierre, Refinery29, 7 Nov. 2025
For five hours Wednesday night at Bal Harbour Shops in north Miami, the Champagne was flowing, the crowd was dancing and mood was completely festive.
—David Moin, Footwear News, 6 Nov. 2025
The rapper shared the track alongside a music video, which sees her strutting and dancing around a mansion.
—Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 6 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dancing
Verb
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When the vehicle began to move forward slowly, another agent standing in front of the SUV drew a firearm and fired at least two shots through the windshield while stepping backward.—
Robert Salonga,
Mercury News,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Customers today research extensively before stepping inside.—
Parin Moradiya,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The headlights of the long-haul trucks illuminated Joshua trees and darting bats.—
Hazlitt,
Hazlitt,
7 Jan. 2026
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During early warm-ups for the Broncos-Chargers game, Dobbins spent over 30 minutes catching up with former Los Angeles teammates and coaches, darting over to the stands to sign a few autographs.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
4 Jan. 2026
Verb
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At ease everywhere from flitting free jazz to looser, funkier textures, Allen abides, insistent but never overbearing on a session well worth the wait.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
2 Dec. 2025
-
That Cody Balmer avowed the Palestinian cause in his call to 911, despite no prior connection to it, fits the general pattern, since that’s what was flitting across his screens.—
Benjamin Wallace-Wells,
New Yorker,
1 Dec. 2025
Verb
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One of the older photographs in Gaskin’s book, from 1998, finds an impeccably suited ballroom performer strutting the boards of what appears to be a community-center gymnasium.—
Andrew Holter,
The Atlantic,
31 Dec. 2025
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The square-jawed Iago Breschi, one of the most technically proficient classical dancers in San Diego, was in his element as the torero Escamillo, strutting with a devil-may-care swagger.—
Marcia Luttrell,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Consisting of wispy layers that create soft movement, akin to fluttering butterfly wings, the cut is a popular option for cascading long lengths.—
Hannah Malach,
InStyle,
6 Jan. 2026
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Soft amber light illuminates gold jewelry, glossy lips, and brightly fabrics fluttering in the ocean breeze.—
PhotoVogue,
Vogue,
18 Dec. 2025
Verb
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So, if the Phillies were to target Bichette, there would be some sort of shuffling in the infield.—
Patrick McAvoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Nov. 2025
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In 2022, Kelsey pleaded guilty to illegally shuffling money from his state Senate campaign account to his federal congressional campaign account.—
Vivian Jones,
Nashville Tennessean,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Older supporters will remember it well and, if anyone from the younger generation wants a glimpse into those times, perhaps a good place to start is by flicking through the pages of The Complete History Of Manchester City, written by football historian Gary James and published in 1997.—
Daniel Taylor,
New York Times,
5 Jan. 2026
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The reptile reacts to being picked up by flicking its meaty tail back and forth, whacking a few of the deputies.—
Kelli Bender,
PEOPLE,
5 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Hall was in net when Boston's Bobby Orr scored in overtime to win the Cup for the Bruins in 1970, a goal that's among the most famous in hockey history because of the flying through the air celebration that followed.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
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While some travelers praise the trend for reducing stress and avoiding baggage fees, others say flying without bags is unrealistic for longer trips or work travel.—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dancing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dancing. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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