as in sex
sexual union involving penetration of the vagina by the penis
female pandas are receptive to copulation for a short time once a year
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Recent Examples of copulation
Alexander William Schecter, 26, was charged with kidnapping to commit another crime, first-degree residential robbery, two counts of forcible oral copulation and forcible rape, all of which are felonies, according to a news release shared by the DA's Office.
—
Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
On Thursday, he was charged with one count of kidnapping to commit another crime, one count of first degree residential robbery, two counts of forcible oral copulation and one count of rape, according to the criminal complaint.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2026
Bobbie Arthur Owen, 64, faces up to 39 years, four months in state prison after a Sacramento Superior Court jury on Monday convicted him of 22 counts, including lewd acts on a child, oral copulation and digital penetration with a foreign object.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 24 Mar. 2026
In Heated Rivalry, there is consummation aplenty, but the copulation escalates in its own competitive terms.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 26 Nov. 2025
The Valley overlaps geographically with the hippie homeland of San Francisco, Berkeley, and their environs, and there’s long been cross-pollination, if not orgiastic copulation, between the two spheres.
—Literary Hub, 21 Nov. 2025
Brian Peck pleaded no contest to a charge of oral copulation with a minor under 16 as well as a charge of performing a lewd act with a 14- or 15-year-old.
—Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 5 Nov. 2025
Joseph was originally charged with forcible oral copulation, false imprisonment, and assault.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 30 Sep. 2025
Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
On Thursday, he was charged with one count of kidnapping to commit another crime, one count of first degree residential robbery, two counts of forcible oral copulation and one count of rape, according to the criminal complaint.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2026
Bobbie Arthur Owen, 64, faces up to 39 years, four months in state prison after a Sacramento Superior Court jury on Monday convicted him of 22 counts, including lewd acts on a child, oral copulation and digital penetration with a foreign object.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 24 Mar. 2026
In Heated Rivalry, there is consummation aplenty, but the copulation escalates in its own competitive terms.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 26 Nov. 2025
The Valley overlaps geographically with the hippie homeland of San Francisco, Berkeley, and their environs, and there’s long been cross-pollination, if not orgiastic copulation, between the two spheres.
—Literary Hub, 21 Nov. 2025
Brian Peck pleaded no contest to a charge of oral copulation with a minor under 16 as well as a charge of performing a lewd act with a 14- or 15-year-old.
—Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 5 Nov. 2025
Joseph was originally charged with forcible oral copulation, false imprisonment, and assault.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 30 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for copulation
Noun
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The findings, from 1,592 U.S. citizens of different ages, sexes, races and incomes, were collected between Dec. 20 and Dec. 22.—
Nicholas Rice,
PEOPLE,
28 Dec. 2025
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On his first day in office, Mr. Trump signed an executive order that declared the federal government would recognize only two immutable sexes: male and female.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
18 Dec. 2025
Noun
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Common symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection include irritation, swelling and a thick white discharge, along with a burning sensation – especially during urination or intercourse.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
12 Apr. 2026
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Wilzig told the Miami Herald in a 2002 profile that intercourse and naked bodies were beautiful and natural, and no one should be embarrassed by talking about the topic.—
Madeleine Marr,
Miami Herald,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
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According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, alligator courtship begins in early April, with mating typically occurring in May and June.—
Sergio Candido,
CBS News,
24 Apr. 2026
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In the Jackson Hole region, a small and isolated group of the birds gathers each spring at a mating site on the grounds of Jackson Hole Airport, where growing air traffic has created dangers for both the grouse and aircraft.—
Samantha Agate,
Miami Herald,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
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But, of course, thousands of American companies had trade and relations with China.—
Charles Bethea,
New Yorker,
26 Apr. 2026
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Armenia has enjoyed warm relations with Iran in recent years, with Tehran backing Armenia to counterbalance Jerusalem’s backing of Azerbaijan.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Copulation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/copulation. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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