as in affairs
a brief romantic relationship
an office romance that ended with hurt feelings on both sides
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of romances
Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 4 June 2026
It’s divided into five romances.
—Literary Hub, 3 June 2026
Prior to this movie, Galitzine was best known for his performances in romances like Red, White & Royal Blue and The Idea of You, as well as a funny turn in the comedy Bottoms.
—Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 3 June 2026
Inkwood Books in the heart of Haddonfield is filled with a collection of classics from memoirs to romances, but in a matter of minutes, bookcases are removed and chairs are set up for its monthly Pride Book Club.
—Ryan Hughes, CBS News, 1 June 2026
Each actor — Tina Fey, Lafayette native Will Forte, Colman Domingo, Marco Calvani, Kerri Kenney-Silver and Erika Henningsen — gets their moments to shine as life changes happen, such as caring for a newborn, a relocation, opposing couple interests and even new romances.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 28 May 2026
Both Heated Rivalry and Off Campus are romances that started off under the radar before becoming instant sensations, catapulting their stars to a new level of celebrity.
—Kenneal Patterson, Vanity Fair, 22 May 2026
The series is a solid entry into Prime Video's catalogue of lightweight, binge-worthy romances.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 15 May 2026
Vigilantes doling out justice in Hell’s Kitchen, steamy romances in the English countryside, and cowboys just trying to hang onto the ranch – again.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
Noun
For a storyteller whose works revolve around complicated or slippery romances, life-altering revelations, and fateful everyday encounters, the brutality of the mafia and New York City street vigilantes feels far removed from her own.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 4 June 2026
It’s divided into five romances.
—Literary Hub, 3 June 2026
Prior to this movie, Galitzine was best known for his performances in romances like Red, White & Royal Blue and The Idea of You, as well as a funny turn in the comedy Bottoms.
—Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 3 June 2026
Inkwood Books in the heart of Haddonfield is filled with a collection of classics from memoirs to romances, but in a matter of minutes, bookcases are removed and chairs are set up for its monthly Pride Book Club.
—Ryan Hughes, CBS News, 1 June 2026
Each actor — Tina Fey, Lafayette native Will Forte, Colman Domingo, Marco Calvani, Kerri Kenney-Silver and Erika Henningsen — gets their moments to shine as life changes happen, such as caring for a newborn, a relocation, opposing couple interests and even new romances.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 28 May 2026
Both Heated Rivalry and Off Campus are romances that started off under the radar before becoming instant sensations, catapulting their stars to a new level of celebrity.
—Kenneal Patterson, Vanity Fair, 22 May 2026
The series is a solid entry into Prime Video's catalogue of lightweight, binge-worthy romances.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 15 May 2026
Vigilantes doling out justice in Hell’s Kitchen, steamy romances in the English countryside, and cowboys just trying to hang onto the ranch – again.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for romances
Noun
-
Games 1 and 2 were tense, one-run affairs.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
3 June 2026
-
Mohammad Shukri, Syrian minister of religious affairs, visited the tent in the Rukneddine neighborhood and said the country's new government is making sure that the culprits are held accountable.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 June 2026
Verb
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Brith, who is ahead and in charge, is taking as her guide the stream, which sparks in the sunlight, cutting a narrow channel through the hillside, weaving itself around rocks and tree trunks, appearing and disappearing, diving underground then springing up in unexpected places.—
Maggie O’Farrell,
Literary Hub,
2 June 2026
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Our mission is to create bold, cinematic film and television that challenges perception, sparks conversation, and leaves a lasting emotional imprint.—
Mike Fleming Jr,
Deadline,
1 June 2026
Noun
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Throughout this dense and always engrossing survey of Lean’s career in film, Thompson threads the vicissitudes of the director’s personal life, spanning six wives and various other relationships and flings.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
27 May 2026
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In the satirical comedy, Sacha Baron Cohen plays a successful and chauvinistic advertising CEO who lives for power and casual flings.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
12 May 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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The compound dates back 92 years with roots tied to early lakefront development along the East Shore and a preservation-minded era when landowners organized to protect the forest setting.—
David Caraccio,
Sacbee.com,
1 June 2026
-
End dates for South Florida schools range from late May to early June.—
Sarah Perkel,
USA Today,
1 June 2026
Verb
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One night in April when the boy playing Orlando was home sick and Jamie was waiting for Adele in their private coital chamber, Bromley kept her late to work on the scene where Orlando courts Rosalind playing Ganymede playing Rosalind.—
Jonathan Franzen,
New Yorker,
1 June 2026
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Biglari Holdings courts the MAHA movement The MAHA hire is the latest chapter in a long and turbulent saga for Biglari Holdings and its CEO Sardar Biglari, who took control of Steak ‘n Shake in 2008 when the chain was losing $100,000 a day.—
Catherina Gioino,
Fortune,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover star Tiffany Haddish attends the SI Swimsuit dinner hosted by KYU x Drinking Pig on May 29 in Miami Beach, Florida.—
People Staff,
PEOPLE,
31 May 2026
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Gardner regularly attends watch parties, and Riggle, who lives in Los Angeles, tries to go to at least one game at Arrowhead Stadium a year in addition to seeing his Chiefs visit the Los Angeles Chargers and Las Vegas Raiders.—
Jeff Fedotin,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Romances.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/romances. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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