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
Ned Sampson, whose naïve dedication is starting to turn the paper around, is feeling happy both at work and in love, thanks to his budding romance with reporter Mare (Chelsea Frei). — Julie Hinds, Freep.com, 3 Sep. 2026 Perry and Trudeau sparked romance speculation in July 2025 after they were seen dining together in Montreal. — Sameen Chaudhry, USA Today, 3 Sep. 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
  • Against a backdrop of hedonistic parties, Bonfire Night chaos, the Hampshire Hunt Ball and a turbulent Christmas, affairs unravel, alliances fracture and rivalries intensify.
    — Denise Petski, Deadline, 9 Sep. 2026
  • The Emmy Awards have become a streamlined affair in recent years, as voters, sifting through a fragmented TV landscape, inevitably land on a small set of favorite programs.
    — Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of affair
Verb
  • To woo the American artist best known for his curvaceous and colorful Balloon Dog sculptures, Hublot invited him to its Nyon, Switzerland, home base.
    — Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Related Stories The latter who wooed viewers with her portrait of tax inspector Sara Santano, returns here with a new tax evasion case.
    — Annika Pham, Variety, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of woo
Noun
  • Before Harry and Markle were together, the royal was spotted with many girlfriends and brief flings over the years.
    — Giovana Gelhoren, InStyle, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Renata, post-divorce from her fraudster husband Gordon, takes up motorcycle lessons and a fling with a workout instructor.
    — Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of fling
Verb
  • Sorcinelli’s winning drama Balcanica revolves around the encounter between a conductor and his son who flee Afghanistan after music is banned and an Italian doctor that will spark life-changing choices.
    — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 11 Sep. 2026
  • There’s optimism for this season sparked by Harbaugh’s arrival, but this is a tough matchup for a new defense.
    — Dan Duggan, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of spark
Verb
  • Bosa’s injury last year resulted in his third ACL surgery and the second on his right knee, dating to high school.
    — Matt Barrows, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Lawmakers have been eyeing changes like prohibiting lawmakers from dating staff members, updating reporting systems and retaliation protections, and increasing educational and training resources.
    — Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of date

Browse Nearby Words

roly-poly
romance
romanced
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Romance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/romance. Accessed 12 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on romance

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about romance

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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