as in proms
a social gathering for dancing
who are you taking to the dance on Saturday night?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in steps
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 darts
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
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Recent Examples of dances
Literary Hub, 29 Apr. 2026
Dupont Circle and the community college will also feature live performances featuring cultural dances from Bolivia, Indonesia, Nepal and The Gambia.
—Mike Stunson, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
On their way out — as security guards approach armed with fire extinguishers — one of the sprinters stops and dances to celebrate their successful escape, a move reminiscent of a taunt from the video game Fortnite.
—James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026
The all-ages show will showcase the songs and drumbeats of Tahiti alongside the dances of Hawai’i, Samoa and the Maori people of New Zealand.
—Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 26 Apr. 2026
What Dancing Reveals About a Rooster’s World For anyone who has watched chickens closely, rooster dances are a captivating behavior.
—Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 22 Apr. 2026
On his most recent project, Cosa Nuestra, Rauw combines different eras and modern sounds with traditional rhythms and dances on a stage with a Broadway feel—this is something only Rauw can do.
—Time, 15 Apr. 2026
By the time prom approached, Bray had already made dresses for multiple school dances — but taking on a prom gown still felt like a leap.
—Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 13 Apr. 2026
Royal weddings around the world feature their own unique traditions, from special attire to meaningful dances.
—Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 11 Apr. 2026
Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 9 Apr. 2026
Guided by the imperious voiceover of family matriarch Ann (Francis Annis), Soames chases after the lovely Irene (Millie Gibson), who scandalously dances ballet and wants to go to Paris.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 23 Mar. 2026
Then Nelson dances a guy in the neutral zone and gets tripped … like, that’s what the penalties are for.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 11 Mar. 2026
Farrow said her favorite styles of dance are ballet and hip-hop, and her best friend also dances at the studio.
—Amy Stark Shireman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026
Now, Josie dances this crazy explosion in front of her.
—Marta Balaga, Variety, 16 Feb. 2026
But the composer also makes great use of the saxophone, which playfully dances through melodies that transport the viewer back to the swinging '60s and evokes the spirit of Henry Mancini.
—Alex Galbraith, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Feb. 2026
Then Ross dances the line between Zionism and Judaism.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 23 Jan. 2026
Maurice Vasquez dances in his prison cell to blaring rap music, wearing a straw hat and designer glasses.
—Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2026
Noun
Some time after the group formed, Mellencamp signed on as the band’s second singer and performed with them at school dances, sock hops, fraternities, and battle of the bands competitions.
—Literary Hub, 29 Apr. 2026
Dupont Circle and the community college will also feature live performances featuring cultural dances from Bolivia, Indonesia, Nepal and The Gambia.
—Mike Stunson, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
On their way out — as security guards approach armed with fire extinguishers — one of the sprinters stops and dances to celebrate their successful escape, a move reminiscent of a taunt from the video game Fortnite.
—James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026
The all-ages show will showcase the songs and drumbeats of Tahiti alongside the dances of Hawai’i, Samoa and the Maori people of New Zealand.
—Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 26 Apr. 2026
What Dancing Reveals About a Rooster’s World For anyone who has watched chickens closely, rooster dances are a captivating behavior.
—Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 22 Apr. 2026
On his most recent project, Cosa Nuestra, Rauw combines different eras and modern sounds with traditional rhythms and dances on a stage with a Broadway feel—this is something only Rauw can do.
—Time, 15 Apr. 2026
By the time prom approached, Bray had already made dresses for multiple school dances — but taking on a prom gown still felt like a leap.
—Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 13 Apr. 2026
Royal weddings around the world feature their own unique traditions, from special attire to meaningful dances.
—Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 11 Apr. 2026
Verb
The food dances seamlessly between Asian flavors, pulling inspiration from Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, and more, and local ingredients from the Gulf South.
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 9 Apr. 2026
Guided by the imperious voiceover of family matriarch Ann (Francis Annis), Soames chases after the lovely Irene (Millie Gibson), who scandalously dances ballet and wants to go to Paris.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 23 Mar. 2026
Then Nelson dances a guy in the neutral zone and gets tripped … like, that’s what the penalties are for.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 11 Mar. 2026
Farrow said her favorite styles of dance are ballet and hip-hop, and her best friend also dances at the studio.
—Amy Stark Shireman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026
Now, Josie dances this crazy explosion in front of her.
—Marta Balaga, Variety, 16 Feb. 2026
But the composer also makes great use of the saxophone, which playfully dances through melodies that transport the viewer back to the swinging '60s and evokes the spirit of Henry Mancini.
—Alex Galbraith, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Feb. 2026
Then Ross dances the line between Zionism and Judaism.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 23 Jan. 2026
Maurice Vasquez dances in his prison cell to blaring rap music, wearing a straw hat and designer glasses.
—Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dances
Noun
-
In a memo to the Board of Education last week, King outlined how a nonattendance day would have affected more than 200 schools, including events such AP testing, proms and senior nights.—
Kate Armanini,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Fast forward 16 years, and members are in hiding in a sanctuary city in the forests of Northern California while life goes on for everyone else in the form of proms and getting stoned.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Houston Chronicle,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Located in the city’s Cultural District, steps away from world-class museums, the property is also filled with art.—
Regan Stephens,
Travel + Leisure,
24 Apr. 2026
-
That said, there are plenty of those other attractions nearby, too, in the neighborhood that’s not far from Chinatown and boasts all the major designer brands and several malls steps away.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The striker is initially in a central area but then darts to the right side.—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Chef Clark Bowen keeps things interesting by incorporating Middle-Eastern influences into an ever-changing menu that darts around the globe and offers intriguing combinations.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Rodrigo’s Guts tour wrapped in July, but the singer spent the end of summer headlining festivals across the world, including Lollapalooza Paris and the Osheaga Festival in Montreal.—
Katie Simons,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Only a short walk away, visitors can find great restaurants and entertainment, including the Quartier des Spectacles, home to many festivals throughout the year.—
Megan Wallitsch,
Travel + Leisure,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Which brings us to Big Mama, a seven-track Brainfeeder EP that flits by in under 14 minutes.—
Dave Segal,
SPIN,
13 Mar. 2026
-
As the movie flits between these different storylines, time is reframed less as something to resist (or defy) than as something to embrace.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The milestone festivities come amid deep political divisions that have seeped into nearly every facet of American life, including how people view the country’s history and identity.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The 29-year-old Song reaggravated an oblique injury in spring training, necessitating a rehab assignment with the Chihuahuas after taking part in opening day festivities at Petco Park.—
Jeff Sanders,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Tristan returns home and greets James while Siegfried shuffles the woman out the window.—
Alice Burton,
Vulture,
12 Jan. 2026
-
That is not unique — Major League Baseball’s offseason shuffles along at a deliberate pace, just as the Dodgers historically have liked.—
Katie Woo,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Cuba's President Miguel Diaz-Canel (center) flutters a Venezuelan and Cuban national flags in support of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro in Havana.—
Kiki Intarasuwan,
CBS News,
3 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dances.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dances. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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