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
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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
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Recent Examples of lovemaking
The only real originality in the accounts of Jesus’ virgin birth is their distinctly Jewish and prudish tone, with the impregnation dignified and at arm’s length rather than represented, as in the Hellenistic myths, as a shower of gold or the lovemaking of an amorous swan.
—
Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2025
Early on, the director preferred portraying heterosexual lovemaking.
—Carlos Aguilar, New York Times, 19 Mar. 2025
The scene — shot long before the days of intimacy coordinators — goes on for quite some time, and features both actors in the nude (almost — there were modesty coverings out of view) being quite vigorous in their simulated lovemaking.
—Seth Abramovitch, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Feb. 2025
Axton included lines about wine-drinking and lovemaking that give the song at least a little bit of an adult sensibility and kept it from seeming too dippy.
—Paul Grein, Billboard, 3 Sep. 2019
See All Example Sentences for lovemaking
Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2025
Early on, the director preferred portraying heterosexual lovemaking.
—Carlos Aguilar, New York Times, 19 Mar. 2025
The scene — shot long before the days of intimacy coordinators — goes on for quite some time, and features both actors in the nude (almost — there were modesty coverings out of view) being quite vigorous in their simulated lovemaking.
—Seth Abramovitch, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Feb. 2025
Axton included lines about wine-drinking and lovemaking that give the song at least a little bit of an adult sensibility and kept it from seeming too dippy.
—Paul Grein, Billboard, 3 Sep. 2019
See All Example Sentences for lovemaking
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lovemaking
Noun
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The findings, from 1,592 U.S. citizens of different ages, sexes, races and incomes, were collected between Dec. 20 and Dec. 22.—
Nicholas Rice,
PEOPLE,
28 Dec. 2025
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On his first day in office, Mr. Trump signed an executive order that declared the federal government would recognize only two immutable sexes: male and female.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
18 Dec. 2025
Noun
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Looking to the more recent past, 2002’s Water Horse marked the very early years of online dating, and all the stigma that came with it.—
Annabel Gat,
Vogue,
14 Feb. 2026
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The show is good at making the off-and-on vicissitudes of modern dating feel natural to the plot.—
Doreen St. Félix,
New Yorker,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
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On top of that, one of Colvin’s classmates, Jeremiah Reeves, had recently been arrested for having intercourse with a white woman.—
Essence,
Essence,
15 Jan. 2026
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British prosecutors said Johnston used threats and intimidation to force the woman into having intercourse with the men, per the outlet.—
Sean Neumann,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
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This enchanting and timeless tale, filled with the romance and grandeur audiences know and love, features spectacular new sets and dazzling costumes.—
Rick Mauch,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
20 Feb. 2026
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If all of their notoriously violent fights are going to be like this, the show is going to struggle to sustain the tumultuousness of their romance.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Schulte tagged nine mating pairs in Alaska and tracked them for three years.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
14 Feb. 2026
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It is suspected North Carolina’s Outer Banks may be a white shark mating ground, but OCEARCH is still searching for definitive proof.—
Mark Price,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Vivacious Peacock Spiders Peacock spiders have one of the most elaborate and flamboyant courtship rituals of any arachnid.—
K. R. Callaway,
Scientific American,
13 Feb. 2026
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So quintessentially Canadian, their courtship peaked with a canoe trip.—
Jon Wertheim,
CBS News,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
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In a sign of how bitter relations have sunk, in January star Bangladeshi cricketer Mustafizur Rahman had his Indian Premier League contract abruptly canceled, prompting Dhaka to ban broadcasts of the league in retaliation.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
13 Feb. 2026
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That effort ultimately was unsuccessful and helped create Lightfoot’s sour relations with the City Council toward the end of her single term.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lovemaking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lovemaking. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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