1
as in to step
to perform a series of usually rhythmic bodily movements to music
she can't resist dancing to her favorite rock bands
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to dart
to make an irregular series of quick, sudden movements
the lithe boxer danced around the ring, staying just out of the reach of his opponent
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 dance
Tribune News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
My whole career, 40 years in the industry, has been marked by CARB [California Air Resources Board emissions standards] and the EPA and the dance with the fuel economy standards.
—Jamie Lincoln Kitman, Rolling Stone, 24 Apr. 2026
Literary Hub, 24 Apr. 2026
While his knuckleball was not dancing at its best all day, Waldron discovered the command of his fastball and sweeper that was missing in the first two innings.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dance
Noun
Originally invited to serve as only an interval act to entertain viewers between competing performance groups, the Irish dance-and-music act became the talk of the night.
—Tribune News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
My whole career, 40 years in the industry, has been marked by CARB [California Air Resources Board emissions standards] and the EPA and the dance with the fuel economy standards.
—Jamie Lincoln Kitman, Rolling Stone, 24 Apr. 2026
Verb
Dust particles danced in streams of afternoon light when Mother swept the yard.
—Literary Hub, 24 Apr. 2026
While his knuckleball was not dancing at its best all day, Waldron discovered the command of his fastball and sweeper that was missing in the first two innings.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dance
Noun
-
Hundreds of students from across Los Angeles County were given the opportunity to shop and receive free formal prom attire at the event.—
Staff Photographer,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Two days before joining her famous family at the MTV Movie and TV Awards, the TikTok and television star got all dressed up in a neon yellow gown for her high school prom.—
Lindy Segal,
PEOPLE,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Then Ramos stepped to the plate in a situation where the Highlanders were probably expecting a bunt, Calderon said.—
Lou Ponsi,
Oc Register,
24 Apr. 2026
-
For the very first time, Rina and Serasi stepped onto their outdoor habitat — and their personalities were already on full display.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Penguins darted beneath us, marine iguanas grazed on algae, and sea lions twirled playfully in the water.—
David Morris,
Travel + Leisure,
26 Apr. 2026
-
From corners, Bromley pack the six-yard box, with multiple players darting towards its centre.—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In the same way that SXSW emerged in the late ’80s to help solidify an infrastructure to support independent musicians, and a larger music festival ecosystem followed, Jupiter Festival Miami aims to pave the way for creators to be taken seriously as the next wave of cultural curators.—
Caitlin White,
Variety,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Established in 2010 by Marissa Amoni, Jenn Byrne, Lisa Gloria and Nate Miller, the festival focuses on showcasing only local artists living within 30 miles of Aurora, the release said.—
Aurora Beacon-News,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
While this is a luxury resort, expect your fellow guests to be dressed in snowpants and ski boots more often than not—don’t be shy to waltz through the lobby in your long johns.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Which was why, at the very end, when Gordon tuned in on the wireless to a dance band and Robert was supposed to waltz Olwyn about the room, Stella had no patience with St Ives’s reaction to Geoffrey’s ten-second delay in putting on the gramophone record.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Those who aren’t taking over the whole place and enjoy more of a scene can flit over in the island’s speedboat to neighboring Hurawalhi, with its buzzy bar, big gym, and underwater restaurant.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Summer signifies les grandes vacances, when the French take off parts of July and the entire month of August to flit to their country homes or the coast.—
Lane Nieset,
Travel + Leisure,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Kate Perez The royal visit is part of the celebrations surrounding the 250th anniversary of the United States.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Of course, that’s probably because Boldy blacked out during his own celebration.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Redick has had to shuffle the roster pieces around since, using the final five games of the regular season to assess his rotation options without Doncic and Reaves, who also missed 19 straight games from Christmas until February with a strained calf.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Parkinson’s stem cell trial is underway at UM At the University of Miami, neurologists are testing AI’s capabilities to shuffle through patient data to spot patterns that can help predict which patients may experience rapid decline.—
Michelle Marchante,
Miami Herald,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dance. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
