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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
Macleod and his colleagues sequenced the DNA of the plague victims, piecing together how they were related and (through radiocarbon dating) when each member of the family died. ArsTechnica, 18 June 2026 Groucutt notes a significant issue in paleoethology relates to the dating of sites, as the techniques used can yield vastly different results. Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 14 June 2026 There are some lingering elements of conservatism in eharmony, particularly its questions about faith and politics, but at least the app allows same-sex dating. Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 12 June 2026 Crow and her colleagues used radiometric dating and chemical analysis on NWA 12593 to successfully identify evidence of three major impact events in the moon’s past. Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 10 June 2026 However, The Kardashians star and the global sports phenomenon sparked significant dating buzz back in 2012, even prompting ESPN reporter Rachel Nichols to ask Lin about a potential romantic connection point-blank. Lara Walsh, InStyle, 10 June 2026 Dostal said radiocarbon dating of the wooden stoppers placed them roughly in the late 1700s. CBS News, 4 June 2026 Franklyn and Cooper cofounded their podcast Call Her Daddy in 2018, which quickly became an internet sensation for its honest and humorous conversations about female sexuality and dating. Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 2 June 2026 And that means modern dating is taking a hit. Sydney Lake, Fortune, 30 May 2026
Verb
Meanwhile, Haack — who also shares 6-year-old son Hudson with her second ex-husband Ant Anstead — has been dating Larocca since the fall of 2024. Natalia Senanayake, PEOPLE, 25 June 2026 Swanson had a sacrifice fly and Crow-Armstrong launched his 17th home run to right-center, extending his career-best on-base streak to 24 games dating to May 26. Cbs New York Team, CBS News, 24 June 2026 Yes, Wilkins has been a country-music artist for some years now, with releases dating back to 2015 on her Instagram that featured, spoiler alert, American-flag cover art. Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 24 June 2026 The Juszczyks became friendly with Swift after Kelce started dating her in 2023 — enough that Kristin enjoyed a career-defining moment as an aspiring fashion designer, courtesy of the Grammy winner. Martha Ross, Mercury News, 24 June 2026 Teams in those places have won the Stanley Cup the past seven years in a row and 13 times dating to Colorado’s championship run in 1995-96. Stephen Whyno, Fortune, 24 June 2026 Still, state environmental officials and weather experts say the rainfall deficits dating back to last fall have not been completely erased. Drew Kann, AJC.com, 24 June 2026 LeBron and Savannah James first began dating in high school. Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 17 June 2026 Real quick Rex Heuermann was sentenced to multiple life sentences in prison for the murders of eight women dating back to 1993 whose remains were found at Gilgo Beach on Long Island. Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 17 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dating
Noun
  • Everything from the casting (male dancers, internet faves, and very few actual models) to the scenery (a 191-year-old venue with plenty of stained glass) to the ambiance (candlelit, with lots of bows and florals) embodied the brand's quintessential mix of romance, community, and nostalgia.
    Madeline Hirsch, InStyle, 26 June 2026
  • The action, set on France’s rugged northern coast, is anchored by teen romance, involves far-right anti-migrant activists, and is complicated by blue goo from space that creates clones—including of the two loopy police officers who investigate.
    Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 26 June 2026
Verb
  • The Harriet Tubman Journey to Freedom statue is accompanying them on the walk.
    Jericka Duncan, CBS News, 28 June 2026
  • Yale President Maurie McInnis issued a statement accompanying the report that takes responsibility for the university’s role in losing public trust.
    Rose Horowitch, The Atlantic, 27 June 2026
Verb
  • The biggest of big media — from Amazon to Fox and Tubi to Netflix — are aggressively courting creators for deals as marketers scramble to tap into the heat around personalities who ply their trade on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram and the like.
    Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 27 June 2026
  • In his place, acting President Delcy Rodríguez has been cautiously liberalizing the economy and courting foreign oil companies, while currying favor with Washington pragmatically and seeking relief from crushing sanctions.
    John Liu, CNN Money, 25 June 2026
Noun
  • Through it all, the growth of dating apps has changed how courtship is practiced.
    Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 27 June 2026
  • According to the heteronormative version of bluegill courtship, mating season begins when males start building nests—basically, bowl-like depressions in the lake bed.
    Elizabeth Kolbert, New Yorker, 22 June 2026
Verb
  • Their first meeting led to a friendship that has only grown outside of the arena, with Brunson and Marks even attending the premiere of Hargitay's documentary My Mom Jayne at the Tribeca Festival last year.
    Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 27 June 2026
  • Lili Cuevas has been attending camp for the last four years and always brings a special companion with her.
    Conor McGill, CBS News, 27 June 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dating. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on dating

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster