sex

noun

ˈseks How to pronounce sex (audio)
Definition of sexnext
as in intercourse
sexual union involving penetration of the vagina by the penis the students learned about the mechanics of sex and reproduction in health class

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sex
  1. mating
  2. relations
  3. sexuality
Noun
  • The famed Big 5 (elephants, buffalos, leopards, rhinos, and lions) are all easily spotted in these lands, but the diverse habitats provide opportunities for different behavioral sightings, from feeding to bathing and mating.
    — Paul Jebara, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Aug. 2026
  • For the past eight years, that's when Jackie and Shadow have begun reinforcing their nest and mating.
    — Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of mating
Noun
  • Canada could restrict key exports to the US, such as energy and a key fertilizer ingredient known as potash, said Diamond Isinger, a policy strategist and former special advisor on Canada-US relations to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
    — Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Cook’s legacy has been defined by his deft leadership through tumultuous supply chain environments and tense international trade relations.
    — Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of relations
Noun
  • And something has truly changed in the way that younger generations view race and sexuality specifically.
    — Charles Finch, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026
  • More broadly, the department has launched similar investigations into other schools’ gender and sexuality policies, including recent investigations in Maryland and Michigan.
    — Kate Perez, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of sexuality
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.

Phrases Containing sex

Browse Nearby Words

sew up
sex
sex act
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sex.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sex. Accessed 31 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on sex

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sex

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of gumption

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All