courted

Definition of courtednext
past tense of court
1
as in wooed
to act so as to make (something) more likely you're courting disaster if you keep playing with matches

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in dated
to go on dates that may eventually lead to marriage they courted for a year before getting married

Synonyms & Similar 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 courted Beyond Microsoft, Canberra has courted investments from other AI hyperscalers. Matthew Chin, CNBC, 23 Apr. 2026 According to Syth, the reorganization plan was too optimistic from the start, and would have courted danger even if the war never happened. Shawn Tully, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026 Jack Daniel’s has been in the news a lot recently, as its parent company Brown-Forman has courted potential mergers with or acquisitions by two different companies—Sazerac (the owner of Buffalo Trace) and Pernod Ricard (the French company that controls Jameson Irish Whiskey). Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 21 Apr. 2026 Other politicians have courted the wrestling vote. Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026 Both Porter and Steyer have courted the more left-wing, progressive side of the party. Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 13 Apr. 2026 Dean Potter was one of the most notable names in the world of climbing, a free solo pioneer who courted controversy by scaling rock formations not meant for humans. K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 10 Apr. 2026 Players like those will be courted by many programs and likely will command a lot of money. John Shipley, Twin Cities, 6 Apr. 2026 As On3’s Zack Geoghegan wrote last week, G League guard Dink Pate—who went undrafted in 2025—is being courted by Kentucky and other major D-I programs. Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 6 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for courted
Verb
  • As for wine and cocktails, be prepared to be wowed, thanks to the thoughtful hand of wine director Cassandra Felix, who cut her chops in Napa Valley before being wooed to Florida’s warm waters.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Apr. 2026
  • Typically, price increases prompt some cancellations, but the longer-term financial benefits are worth it, especially if some of those who canceled can be wooed back with compelling programming.
    Dade Hayes, Deadline, 16 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • In a decision dated April 23, Swiss federal prosecutor Annina Scherrer noted that the Vatican tribunal itself had acquitted Crasso and his company and fund of the same charges definitively and shelved the Swiss case.
    ABC News, ABC News, 30 Apr. 2026
  • Jakob Marcoulier, 22, wrote in one post dated August 2017.
    Corky Siemaszko, NBC news, 30 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • She was invited to testify before the committee but refused to answer any substantive questions earlier this year.
    Shirsho Dasgupta, Miami Herald, 25 Apr. 2026
  • Your child’s friends and their parents are the only ones who should be invited.
    Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Courted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/courted. Accessed 2 May. 2026.

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