lovemaking

noun

ˈləv-ˌmā-kiŋ How to pronounce lovemaking (audio)
Definition of lovemakingnext
1
as in sex
sexual union involving penetration of the vagina by the penis does not allow her young daughter to watch any films in which lovemaking is shown, however discreetly

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in dating
the series of social engagements shared by a couple looking to get married a series of Rococo paintings in which the lovemaking of French aristocrats is depicted with erotic playfulness

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 lovemaking This is a broad category of misbehaviors, ranging from excessive public displays of affection to actual lovemaking on the plane. — Christopher Elliott, Dallas Morning News, 14 Jan. 2026 Inside, storylines followed a formula with frequently dire consequences for the twisted woman who dared indulge in, by today’s standards, some pretty tame lovemaking. — Trish Bendix august 21, Literary Hub, 21 Aug. 2025 The 118 arrives, interrupting the lovemaking and rescuing Archie, who is (physically) unscathed. — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 4 Apr. 2025 Early on, the director preferred portraying heterosexual lovemaking. — Carlos Aguilar, New York Times, 19 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for lovemaking
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lovemaking
  1. intercourse
  2. dating
  3. mating
  4. romance
  5. relations
  6. courtship
Noun
  • The two counts of rape Høiby was convicted of did not involve intercourse.
    — Gwladys Fouche, USA Today, 15 June 2026
  • However, soy isoflavones didn’t appear to provide significant overall benefits for painful intercourse, hot flashes, night sweats, and psychological symptoms.
    — Sarah Garone, Health, 22 May 2026
Definition of intercourse
Noun
  • Archaeologists plan to continue studying the site, including conducting 3D scans and sending charcoal samples to the United States for scientific dating, the Smithsonian Magazine reported.
    — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 7 July 2026
  • Those relationships will shape, and be shaped by, dating, families, workplaces, politics and law.
    — Ann M. Merriwether, The Conversation, 7 July 2026
Definition of dating
Noun
  • That includes mating—most of the world’s population carries Neanderthal DNA to this day.
    — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 6 July 2026
  • The females and males that develop from the pupae end up mating, which leaves the males and females in the wild to continue mating and laying eggs.
    — Alice Park, Time, 2 July 2026
Definition of mating
Noun
  • His quest is complicated by court intrigue, romance with Queen Deianira, and supernatural threats, culminating in encounters with mythical creatures, including the Hydra.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026
  • The benefits of these romance bookstores as third places are not limited to interpersonal connections.
    — Katelyn Frey, The Conversation, 10 July 2026
Definition of romance
Noun
  • Announced during Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s visit to the kingdom last week, the deal follows a thawing of bilateral relations after a years-long diplomatic rift over Saudi Arabia’s human rights record.
    — Kelsey Warner, semafor.com, 14 July 2026
  • This is the only New Moon all year that offers you a chance to think about how to improve your home and relations with family.
    — Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 14 July 2026
Definition of relations
Noun
  • Popa, the author of two previous collections and the poetry editor for Publishers Weekly, has just published a new book inspired by pre-20th century letters of love and courtship.
    — Erik Pedersen, Oc Register, 7 July 2026
  • This Is All Going To Take Time Sky and ITV’s courtship has already taken nine months to reach the point of announcing a deal.
    — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 6 July 2026
Definition of courtship

Browse Nearby Words

lovely
lovemaking
lover
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lovemaking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lovemaking. Accessed 16 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of bibelot

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
banana-mirrored
Contradictory Words Quiz Pick out which word means one thing…and the opp...
See All