dating 1 of 2

as in romance
the series of social engagements shared by a couple looking to get married their dating had been going on for so long that she was starting to wonder if she'd ever take that trip down the aisle

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dating

2 of 2

verb

present participle of date
1
as in accompanying
to go on a social engagement with I don't want to date him—I'd rather just be friends

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2
as in courting
to go on dates that may eventually lead to marriage we dated for two years before we got engaged

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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 dating
Noun
Affordability is a key player in the shift from dinner dates to breakfast or coffee, as the cost of dating has risen in recent years. — Sadie Chafe, FOXNews.com, 4 Oct. 2026 Thus far her novels have covered hockey romance, fake dating, cowboys, football and more. — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 29 Sep. 2026 Episode 2 will feature actor, writer and comedian Sophia Sherman and special guest Count Dracula discussing 400 years of dating and situationships. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 29 Sep. 2026 Regularly talk to them about what constitutes a healthy friendship or dating relationship and what respect looks like. — Sherri Gordon, Parents, 23 Sep. 2026 The same goes for his perspectives on race, dating, gender, and generational divides shaped by his upbringing in Waukegan, Illinois. — Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 21 Sep. 2026 The key themes now are romance, dating, children or fertility, expression or hobbies—so one of these could be taking steps forward, but also sending you mixed messages about where. — Kyle Thomas, PEOPLE, 20 Sep. 2026 Single Americans who say income matters in a relationship expect a potential lifelong partner to earn an average of $139,000 a year, according to a new survey highlighting the growing role finances play in modern dating. — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026 That research also cautions against treating young adults as broadly sober, so wellness-first dating is better understood as alcohol-optional. — Ashley Lynch, Charlotte Observer, 3 Sep. 2026
Verb
Billed as an immersive matchmaking experience and a new take on the dating show, the format features singletons who are tired of swiping and first dates and are ready to get hitched. — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026 The vintage furniture—frames and mirrors and desks dating anywhere from the 16th to 19th centuries—sings in artful assortments. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026 Twenty years after an affair and unconfirmed pregnancy, Michael discovers Renee’s son is dating his daughter. — Joe Otterson, Variety, 6 Oct. 2026 Showgirls have a deep history in entertainment, dating as far back to European stage performers like Josephine Baker to Old Hollywood starlets like Marilyn Monroe and the women dressed by the late Bob Mackie. — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2026 The Panthers have lost all three of their previous Vice Night games dating to 2022 and will look to change that Wednesday while earning their first conference victory of the season. — Alejandro Hernandez, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2026 People recently reported that sources had confirmed that two are dating. — Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 6 Oct. 2026 Stan and Wallis, who started dating in 2022, welcomed their first child together in July. — Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Oct. 2026 Then there are the questions of who was friends with who or might be dating, and of course what the media made of it all at the time. — Eliza Goodpasture, ARTnews.com, 5 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dating
Noun
  • Mercury in your 12th House quincunxes Saturn in your 5th, making private thoughts, uncertainty, or unspoken feelings harder to reconcile with fun, romance, or creative expression.
    — Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 9 Oct. 2026
  • One example is the hit romance Perfect Crown, made with Korean broadcaster MBC.
    — Mathew Scott, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The order and accompanying legislation must be designed so that collecting and disseminating foreign trade secrets advances defense and intelligence priorities and does not unduly distort the free market.
    — DAVID S. COHEN, Foreign Affairs, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Tornado potential will increase as rain bands accompanying Isaias approach the northeastern Gulf Coast Friday evening and overnight.
    — MIAMI HERALD HURRICANE BOT, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Those premium fliers are the customers Delta’s rivals are courting with Starlink.
    — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Today’s candidates, particularly Jackson and Jon Ossoff (Democrat for Senate), are courting the same crossover voters.
    — Adam Van Brimmer, AJC.com, 6 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Each collection serves as its own ode to romance and courtship, explained Mackey.
    — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2026
  • That courtship continued over the next year, with Spielberg finally agreeing to this new hands-on role after reading Fuchs’ latest script.
    — Justin Kroll, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • None of the Migos have ever held my attention over a full-length solo album, but at least those past projects didn’t feel like attending a networking event.
    — Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The president plans to attend Saturday's big college football matchup between Alabama and Georgia, after attending Texas at Tennessee late last month.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Dating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dating. Accessed 11 Oct. 2026.

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