as in affairs
a brief romantic relationship
an office romance that ended with hurt feelings on both sides
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 romances
Rachel McRady, PEOPLE, 28 Apr. 2026
Most romances begin with normal life and build to a happy ending.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 25 Apr. 2026
Whitman’s poetry and prose; Melville’s early romances of the sea, Typee, Omoo, and Mardi; three novels by Harriet Beecher Stowe, including Uncle Tom’s Cabin; and the complete tales and sketches of Nathaniel Hawthorne.
—Literary Hub, 24 Apr. 2026
This gap between production costs and potential profit historically has given studios incentive to make more romances, not fewer — and to pave the way for surprise hits.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 16 Apr. 2026
An extremely fragile veneer of post-racial logic blankets these spiky romances, which take place in conspicuously progressive cities.
—Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2026
Grown-ups might spot repeating glitches in careers, romances or caregiving styles.
—Lucy Jones
april 11, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2026
With such a sheer volume of work coming out, the anime market can get crowded, and its easy for these works to bleed together into a vague blob of gag comedies, action-adventure shows, and sickly-sweet romances.
—Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 3 Apr. 2026
Noun
Her past high-profile romances with stars like Harry Styles, Jake Gyllenhaal, Joe Jonas, Joe Alwyn, Matty Healy, and more are rumored to have inspired some of her biggest hits.
—Rachel McRady, PEOPLE, 28 Apr. 2026
Most romances begin with normal life and build to a happy ending.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 25 Apr. 2026
Whitman’s poetry and prose; Melville’s early romances of the sea, Typee, Omoo, and Mardi; three novels by Harriet Beecher Stowe, including Uncle Tom’s Cabin; and the complete tales and sketches of Nathaniel Hawthorne.
—Literary Hub, 24 Apr. 2026
This gap between production costs and potential profit historically has given studios incentive to make more romances, not fewer — and to pave the way for surprise hits.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 16 Apr. 2026
An extremely fragile veneer of post-racial logic blankets these spiky romances, which take place in conspicuously progressive cities.
—Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2026
Grown-ups might spot repeating glitches in careers, romances or caregiving styles.
—Lucy Jones
april 11, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2026
With such a sheer volume of work coming out, the anime market can get crowded, and its easy for these works to bleed together into a vague blob of gag comedies, action-adventure shows, and sickly-sweet romances.
—Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 3 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for romances
Noun
-
The rest of the East is sorting its affairs.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Sean Jeans-Gail, vice president of government affairs and policy at the Rail Passengers Association, said Amtrak and many other ground transportation companies barred weapons on trains and buses after 9/11, but none put security measures in place to detect or screen every passenger for firearms.—
Claudia Lauer,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Highway 82 Fire in Brantley County began when a foil-like party balloon hit a power line and sparks ignited surrounding vegetation, authorities say.—
AJ Willingham,
AJC.com,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Rescue sparks debate in country Officials in the state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania said their strategy had focused on minimizing stress for the animal, rejecting public calls for the whale to be euthanized to end its suffering.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The 41-year-old virgin 💌 Amanda McCracken dated throughout her 20s and 30s, with her share of situationships, one-off dates and flings.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Peter wondered how his flings from Christopher Street might look when photographed.—
Andrew Durbin,
Vulture,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
As the President insults allies, woos dictators, and spurns long-standing commitments, Rubio has to convince his counterparts that America will not entirely abandon its friends.—
Dexter Filkins,
New Yorker,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
One of the most enduring royal handbag traditions dates back to Queen Elizabeth II, who reportedly used her purse as a discreet way to signal staff during public engagements.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The San Marcos Festival dates back to the 16th century and includes a traditional running of the bulls through the town's streets along with feats and music, per the local authorities.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
PEOPLE,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Biglari Holdings courts the MAHA movement The MAHA hire is the latest chapter in a long and turbulent saga for Biglari Holdings and its CEO Sardar Biglari, who took control of Steak ‘n Shake in 2008 when the chain was losing $100,000 a day.—
Catherina Gioino,
Fortune,
23 Apr. 2026
-
The ensemble cast includes Ellie Bamber as Eleanor’s sister, Beatrice, and Ed Suter as Edward’s loyal squire Richard, who courts Beatrice amid the escalating tragedy.—
Robert Lang,
Deadline,
27 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Missy, who attends Spot’s Place five days a week, was not scheduled that Monday because of a vet appointment.—
Samantha Agate,
Kansas City Star,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Missy, who attends Spot’s Place in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, Monday through Friday, dug her way out of her backyard and traveled to the daycare on her own after she wasn’t scheduled that day.—
Samantha Agate,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Romances.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/romances. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
