dating 1 of 2

Definition of datingnext
as in romance
the series of social engagements shared by a couple looking to get married their dating had been going on for so long that she was starting to wonder if she'd ever take that trip down the aisle

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dating

2 of 2

verb

present participle of date
1
as in accompanying
to go on a social engagement with I don't want to date him—I'd rather just be friends

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2
as in courting
to go on dates that may eventually lead to marriage we dated for two years before we got engaged

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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 dating
Noun
David Kuang, a 21-year-old Columbia University student, said the economics of dating can make every outing feel like a gamble. Charlotte Morabito, CNBC, 25 Apr. 2026 However, the pair first sparked public dating rumors when they were reportedly spotted out together at a Halloween party later that month. Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026 Each season follows a new group of individuals on the autism spectrum navigating love, dating, and relationships. Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Apr. 2026 The dimensions of the timbers correspond exactly to the drawings of the ship that survive, and the dendrochronological dating matches the vessel’s year of construction in 1772. Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2026 Dendrochronological dating, the method of using tree rings to establish the age of wood, match the year the ship was built. CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026 And smaller group chats are where real conversations are happening (even online dating is moving IRL again). Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 27 Mar. 2026 The discovery and dating of Monte Verde, which was initially mired in controversy, appeared to put that to rest. Adithi Ramakrishnan, Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2026 The news comes after a complicated few months for The Bachelor, which was once one of TV’s most popular reality TV dating shows. Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 19 Mar. 2026
Verb
Set to debut this September, Kerrigan's forthcoming book aims to transform women's approach to dating by working to establish better standards, self-worth and confidence. Staff Author Updated, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 2026 Tatum and Kravitz met and started dating while working on her feature directorial debut Blink Twice in 2021. Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 29 Apr. 2026 The current legal fight echoes a longer history of advocacy in Miami dating to the 1970s and continuing through Haiti’s first democratic elections. Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2026 Throughout March, rumors that West had begun dating his co-star Amanda Batula flooded gossip sites, though the two continuously denied said claims. Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 29 Apr. 2026 Was the plan always leveraging dating apps to find cooking candidates? Emily Bloch, Bon Appetit Magazine, 29 Apr. 2026 The streamer has ordered a new dating series from American Idol producer Fremantle and a reality series featuring a young group of elite nannies. Peter White, Deadline, 22 Apr. 2026 In this year of America's 250th anniversary, archaeologists and college students recently discovered artifacts dating back to the American Revolution — including one infamous 18th-century robbery. Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 22 Apr. 2026 But Chris has tentatively started dating again. Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dating
Noun
  • Meanwhile, today Uranus enters a part of your chart to stay for six years, encouraging impulsive vacations, surprising romance and unexpected children.
    Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 25 Apr. 2026
  • Nataliia was watching a romance film on television.
    Lizzie Johnson, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The tribute program accompanying Yakusho’s award comprised seven films personally approved by the actor, with the festival noting that his participation marked a highlight in the event’s 28-year history.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 26 Apr. 2026
  • The grounds' accompanying train station and gardens were reportedly modeled after the entrance to Disneyland's Magic Kingdom.
    Nicole Briese, PEOPLE, 26 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • By Rachel Metz, Bloomberg OpenAI is introducing an artificial intelligence model that’s intended to be better at completing work without much direction, part of a push to keep pace with rivals like Anthropic PBC in courting business customers.
    Bloomberg, Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2026
  • OpenAI is introducing an artificial intelligence model that’s intended to be better at completing work without much direction, part of a push to keep pace with rivals like Anthropic PBC in courting business customers.
    Rachel Metz, Bloomberg, 23 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • 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
  • No detailed courtship, no inside scoop on Taylor Swift as bridesmaid, no ups or downs or inside-outs of their love story.
    Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 23 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The many attending assistants around her eventually disperse — a little hesitantly because Sam is in the middle of preparing a new show — and the two withdraw to Sam’s cavernous studio.
    Jake Coyle, Boston Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
  • Rocky newbies attending the show’s first return to Broadway since the 2000 Circle-in-the-Square revival, might wonder what the fuss was all about.
    Frank Rizzo, Variety, 24 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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