as in sex
sexual union involving penetration of the vagina by the penis
if the mare doesn't get pregnant from this mating, you don't have to pay for the second try
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in sleeping
to engage in sexual intercourse
cats conceive almost every time they mate
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of mating
Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 2 June 2026
Male bowerbirds are notorious for their complex mating rituals.
—ArsTechnica, 2 June 2026
Then rest is for beauty, and beauty is for mating.
—Taiye Selasi, New Yorker, 31 May 2026
Researchers from the University of Hawaii have also found that Olowalu in particular is a mating hub for tiger sharks, according to Hawaii News Now.
—Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 24 May 2026
The onset of mating season this spring has escalated tensions, with the males’ loud early morning mating calls particularly aggravating residents.
—Amarachi Orie, CNN Money, 14 May 2026
And Jack Brand, an aquatic ecologist at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, wanted to know how illicit drugs like cocaine might change fish behavior, like foraging and mating.
—Regina G. Barber, NPR, 12 May 2026
In a new study, researchers documented seven cases of remoras, a fish known for suctioning itself onto rays—as well as sharks, dolphins, boats and even divers—plunging into manta rays' cloacal orifice, an opening used for pooping, peeing and mating.
—Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 11 May 2026
Mating season generally begins in May, with peak mating in June.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 30 Apr. 2026
ABC News, 8 June 2026
By mating with sterile flies, the females don’t produce more flies and outbreaks can eventually be halted.
—Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2026
Females lay their eggs in open wounds and mucous membranes after mating only once in their monthslong lives.
—CBS News, 8 June 2026
Darkness is essential to fireflies for mating and increasing their population.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 6 June 2026
The mass release of dud studs elbows out fertile males, preventing them from mating with females, which generally only mate once.
—ArsTechnica, 3 June 2026
Early summer is mating season for alligators.
—Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 3 June 2026
For the first time in 200 years, red-and-green macaws are mating in the Atlantic Forest in Brazil, according to BBC Wildlife.
—Christopher Edwards, PEOPLE, 11 May 2026
The males will sometimes pursue the females for up to one week before mating even occurs.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 30 Apr. 2026
Noun
Unsual mating rituals are emerging in modern times.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 2 June 2026
Male bowerbirds are notorious for their complex mating rituals.
—ArsTechnica, 2 June 2026
Then rest is for beauty, and beauty is for mating.
—Taiye Selasi, New Yorker, 31 May 2026
Researchers from the University of Hawaii have also found that Olowalu in particular is a mating hub for tiger sharks, according to Hawaii News Now.
—Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 24 May 2026
The onset of mating season this spring has escalated tensions, with the males’ loud early morning mating calls particularly aggravating residents.
—Amarachi Orie, CNN Money, 14 May 2026
And Jack Brand, an aquatic ecologist at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, wanted to know how illicit drugs like cocaine might change fish behavior, like foraging and mating.
—Regina G. Barber, NPR, 12 May 2026
In a new study, researchers documented seven cases of remoras, a fish known for suctioning itself onto rays—as well as sharks, dolphins, boats and even divers—plunging into manta rays' cloacal orifice, an opening used for pooping, peeing and mating.
—Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 11 May 2026
Mating season generally begins in May, with peak mating in June.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 30 Apr. 2026
Verb
By mating with sterile flies, the females don't produce more flies and outbreaks can eventually be halted.
—ABC News, 8 June 2026
By mating with sterile flies, the females don’t produce more flies and outbreaks can eventually be halted.
—Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2026
Females lay their eggs in open wounds and mucous membranes after mating only once in their monthslong lives.
—CBS News, 8 June 2026
Darkness is essential to fireflies for mating and increasing their population.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 6 June 2026
The mass release of dud studs elbows out fertile males, preventing them from mating with females, which generally only mate once.
—ArsTechnica, 3 June 2026
Early summer is mating season for alligators.
—Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 3 June 2026
For the first time in 200 years, red-and-green macaws are mating in the Atlantic Forest in Brazil, according to BBC Wildlife.
—Christopher Edwards, PEOPLE, 11 May 2026
The males will sometimes pursue the females for up to one week before mating even occurs.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 30 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mating
Noun
-
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
-
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
Verb
-
After receiving medication, the preschooler appeared to be sleeping peacefully on his mother's chest.—
Nicky Zizaza,
CBS News,
8 June 2026
-
The sleeping alcove offers more privacy than the typical studio due to floor-to-ceiling built-ins.—
Matthew Sedacca,
Curbed,
8 June 2026
Noun
-
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
-
Your Sex Drive in Your 60s and Beyond Close to 50% of women over the age of 60 suffer from vaginal dryness, decreased vaginal lubrication, pain during intercourse and trouble, or inability, to reach an orgasm.—
Lauryn Higgins,
Flow Space,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
Females are not released but may be used for breeding in the laboratory.—
Janet Loehrke,
USA Today,
4 June 2026
-
To test the effect of this dysfunctional receptor on the plant’s defenses, the team began breeding the plants for their experiment.—
Jacek Krywko,
ArsTechnica,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
The public relations professional and veteran civil rights activist raised enough money in small contributions to qualify for public financing of her campaign.—
Kevin Rennie,
Hartford Courant,
6 June 2026
-
Much of Armenia’s opposition is still dominated by pro-Russia groups and many are also against normalizing relations with Azerbaijan.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mating. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
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