as in affairs
a brief romantic relationship
an office romance that ended with hurt feelings on both sides
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Recent Examples of romances
Sam Reed, Glamour, 29 Jan. 2026
While promoting her new tumultuous love story onscreen, Margot Robbie paid homage to one of Hollywood’s most passionate romances.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 29 Jan. 2026
At the same time, the slate keeps things light with stand-up from Mo Gilligan and Sommore, plus easygoing romances and comedies like the Terry McMillan adaptations and Tyler Perry’s latest film Joe’s College Road Trip.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 28 Jan. 2026
The fiery Kate doesn’t approve of Anthony as a suitor for her sweet sister’s hand, but, true to form for all good enemies-to-lovers romances, Kate and Anthony soon discover that hatred can morph into a different kind of passion altogether.
—Sara Netzley, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Jan. 2026
Like the heterosexual stories from the 1980s studied by Radway, MM romances are usually written by women, marketed towards women, and read by women.
—Literary Hub, 22 Jan. 2026
The Lost Tapes grants viewers a glimpse into that life through Taylor’s candid reflections on it all—the romances, the tragedies, the opulence, and the scandals.
—Katie Schultz, Architectural Digest, 21 Jan. 2026
One overnight traffic jam links strangers’ romances, crimes and breakdowns, each episode following a different trapped driver.
—Emiliano De Pablos, Variety, 20 Jan. 2026
And a lot of them, romances included, don’t even go that far.
—Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 13 Jan. 2026
Noun
The payoff was particularly good because the writers gave us the push-and-pull that defines all great TV romances.
—Sam Reed, Glamour, 29 Jan. 2026
While promoting her new tumultuous love story onscreen, Margot Robbie paid homage to one of Hollywood’s most passionate romances.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 29 Jan. 2026
At the same time, the slate keeps things light with stand-up from Mo Gilligan and Sommore, plus easygoing romances and comedies like the Terry McMillan adaptations and Tyler Perry’s latest film Joe’s College Road Trip.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 28 Jan. 2026
The fiery Kate doesn’t approve of Anthony as a suitor for her sweet sister’s hand, but, true to form for all good enemies-to-lovers romances, Kate and Anthony soon discover that hatred can morph into a different kind of passion altogether.
—Sara Netzley, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Jan. 2026
Like the heterosexual stories from the 1980s studied by Radway, MM romances are usually written by women, marketed towards women, and read by women.
—Literary Hub, 22 Jan. 2026
The Lost Tapes grants viewers a glimpse into that life through Taylor’s candid reflections on it all—the romances, the tragedies, the opulence, and the scandals.
—Katie Schultz, Architectural Digest, 21 Jan. 2026
One overnight traffic jam links strangers’ romances, crimes and breakdowns, each episode following a different trapped driver.
—Emiliano De Pablos, Variety, 20 Jan. 2026
And a lot of them, romances included, don’t even go that far.
—Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 13 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for romances
Noun
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Justin White, vice president of student affairs and strategic initiatives, told the college's board of trustees this month the college is enrolling a record number of high school students in concurrent credit courses.—
Edward McKinnon,
Arkansas Online,
28 Jan. 2026
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The archivist handed him a heavy file—or legajo—labeled 377, from a section dealing with Caribbean affairs.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Regular communication to senior leadership sets expectations and builds the case for continued investment; communication across the company generates future initiatives, builds grassroots support and sparks a healthy degree of FOMO.—
Jennifer Belissent,
Forbes.com,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Everything from adults-only zones on planes to child-free weddings sparks controversy online.—
Irenie Forshaw,
TheWeek,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The haphazard plot twists itself into knots to include Jeremy Pope’s unfortunately eponymous character, before moving on to far shorter flings with equally monotonous cast members.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
21 Jan. 2026
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Skarsgård played one of Donna’s former flings, Bill, in both films.—
Brian Anthony Hernandez,
PEOPLE,
17 Jan. 2026
Verb
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As the President insults allies, woos dictators, and spurns long-standing commitments, Rubio has to convince his counterparts that America will not entirely abandon its friends.—
Dexter Filkins,
New Yorker,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Each city features unique opening acts, with Robyn joining the six Amsterdam performances, Shania Twain appearing at all six London shows, Fcukers opening both São Paulo dates, Jorja Smith at the Mexico City performance, and Jamie xx performing at every New York show.—
Jenzia Burgos,
StyleCaster,
26 Jan. 2026
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The hotel resides in a historic flatiron building that dates to 1904, and its Old World charm is juxtaposed with sleek, modern accents.—
Forbes Travel Guide,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The ensemble cast includes Ellie Bamber as Eleanor’s sister, Beatrice, and Ed Suter as Edward’s loyal squire Richard, who courts Beatrice amid the escalating tragedy.—
Robert Lang,
Deadline,
27 Dec. 2025
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Fox News, which courts an older linear audience, has put new focus on its reach via YouTube, X, TikTok and Instagram, among other venues.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Steve stays in Hawkins to become a Little League coach, Nancy drops out of Emerson College to take a job at The Herald in Boston, and Robin attends Smith College.—
Brian Anthony Hernandez,
PEOPLE,
11 Jan. 2026
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If your grandchild attends one of these schools and receives financial aid, check with the school’s financial aid office about how your generosity could affect their aid package.—
Liz Weston,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Romances.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/romances. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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