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
But almost everyone watches romance stories, which account for 76% of female viewing and 54% of male viewing. — Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 24 July 2026 The song, out now via OddAtelier/Columbia Records, is her ode to summer, centering on a relationship that exists somewhere between friendship and romance. — Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 24 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
  • Austin police are conducting a criminal investigation with the Travis County District Attorney’s Office, as well as an administrative investigation through their internal affairs unit, police said in a news release.
    — Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 30 July 2026
  • As for his father, Sonnenfeld says his dad had several affairs that his wife was aware of.
    — Alexandra Schonfeld, PEOPLE, 29 July 2026
Definition of affair
Verb
  • LeVota, meanwhile, attempted to launch a pair of last-ditch financial plans to woo the teams back as talks in Kansas were in final stages.
    — Ilana Arougheti July 28, Kansas City Star, 28 July 2026
  • Christie’s, as always, is willing to adapt to the tastes of their clients, but the auction house also has multiple strategies for wooing tech wealth and trying to convert them to fine art.
    — Shanti Escalante-De Mattei, ARTnews.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of woo
Noun
  • Maybe redemption is too strong a word, but with all of this attention on Luke, Joe’s normal-bordering-on-wholesome fling with Kayley is a breath of fresh air.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 21 July 2026
  • Early in the month, your dating life takes an unpredictable turn, allowing room for sudden crushes, chemistry or a casual fling that turns out to be complicated.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 9 July 2026
Definition of fling
Verb
  • The massive influx of people, which totaled 70% of Ceuta’s resident population, sparked calls by local Spanish authorities for police and the army to establish order.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 1 Aug. 2026
  • In fact, this unassuming little coupe was the one car that sparked the global roadster boom of the early 1990s, when the MX-5’s huge popularity convinced European carmakers to create the Boxster, SLK, TT, Z3, MGF and Barchetta.
    — Peter Lyon, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of spark
Verb
  • Stafford’s training camp focus, dating to his youthful ups and downs with the Lions, remains.
    — Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 28 July 2026
  • The two have talked about their relationships (Barone dated the British actor Edward Bluemel for many years) and her and Skinner’s respective breakups.
    — Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 27 July 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 1 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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