romance 1 of 2

noun

rō-ˈman(t)s How to pronounce romance (audio)
Definition of romancenext
as in affair
a brief romantic relationship an office romance that ended with hurt feelings on both sides

Synonyms & Similar Words

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romance

2 of 2

verb

as in to woo

Related 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 romance
Noun
The book pays homage to all your classic romance tropes — fake relationship, enemies to lovers, boy next door — but spins them on their head in this new take on what happily ever after looks like. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 31 July 2026 Zendaya and Holland tend to keep details of their life together and romance private. — Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 31 July 2026
Verb
In 1973, Boyd had an affair with Ronnie Wood, while Harrison did the same with Wood’s wife, and Harrison also later romanced Ringo Starr’s wife, Maureen Cox. — Radhika Seth, Vogue, 19 Dec. 2025 Anthony Geary, the thoughtful General Hospital actor who as the complex Luke Spencer raped and romanced Genie Francis’ Laura Webber Baldwin on the way to an unprecedented eight Daytime Emmy Awards and soap opera superstardom, has died. — Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 15 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for romance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for romance
  1. affair
  2. woo
  3. fling
  4. spark
  5. date
Noun
  • Yu will be responsible for overseeing the business, legal and governmental affairs strategies and activities for the company globally, and succeeds Julie Swidler, who stepped down from the post earlier this summer.
    — Jem Aswad, Variety, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Chase's mother, Jennifer Lackard, the former deputy commissioner for wellness in the community affairs division of the Mount Vernon Police Department, stood emotionless in court as she was arraigned on the same charges Tuesday.
    — Christina Fan, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of affair
Verb
  • Quinnipiac’s poll earlier this month comes as Politico reported that the GOP is quietly trying to woo the Pennsylvania Democrat to switch parties.
    — Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 31 July 2026
  • Nonetheless, the league did succeed in wooing major players like Rahm, Phil Mickelson and Brooks Koepka away from the PGA tour with massive monetary promises.
    — Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of woo
Noun
  • Beyond that title, the boldest thing about the film is that Araki doesn’t condemn Erika or Elliot for their fling.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026
  • From short-term flings to longstanding love stories, nepo babies have a way of gravitating toward one another.
    — Ayana Herndon, InStyle, 25 July 2026
Definition of fling
Verb
  • Manganiello and O’Connor first sparked romance rumors in September 2023, and later confirmed their relationship in December that same year.
    — Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Obsession claimed Best Horror Movie and Best Actress in a Horror Movie for Inde Navarrette, who has sparked awards buzz ever since the record-breaking film first swept the box office.
    — Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of spark
Verb
  • But instead of gossiping about who’s dating whom, collaborators batted around their pasts and infused the darkly comedic anthology series with themes of samsara and the Jungian Shadow.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Rollison’s criminal history in Florida dates to the early 1980s and includes past convictions of arson, grand theft and burglary, among others, Gianino said.
    — Angie DiMichele, Sun Sentinel, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of date

Browse Nearby Words

roly-poly
romance
romanced
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Cite this Entry

“Romance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/romance. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on romance

Nglish: Translation of romance for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about romance

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