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
Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 20 Mar. 2026
And the Miami Hurricanes are in the dance for the first time since their Final Four run three years ago.
—Andre Fernandez, Miami Herald, 20 Mar. 2026
Mano Sundaresan, Pitchfork, 20 Mar. 2026
In the visual, Alejandro, Wizkid, and Rvssian sing from a large vintage house as their muses dance around them.
—Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 19 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dance
Noun
Jung Kook threw down with Latto and Jack Harlow on Golden, while J-Hope got raw with Jack in the Box and his street-dance docuseries Hope on the Street.
—Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 20 Mar. 2026
And the Miami Hurricanes are in the dance for the first time since their Final Four run three years ago.
—Andre Fernandez, Miami Herald, 20 Mar. 2026
Verb
Lowend pioneer Munch Lauren once told me that the reason Milwaukee beats sound like that—like the Energizer Bunny strapped to the drums, just a few ticks off from New Orleans bounce—is because folks would literally dance to bounce tracks in the clubs in the early 2010s.
—Mano Sundaresan, Pitchfork, 20 Mar. 2026
In the visual, Alejandro, Wizkid, and Rvssian sing from a large vintage house as their muses dance around them.
—Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 19 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dance
Noun
-
What color dress did Neal Begovich’s date wear to his senior prom?—
Storey Wertheimer,
NBC news,
20 Mar. 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,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Indeed, the plot, as such, isn’t so much a narrative as a string of minor but incremental disasters that accrue after Carroll steps on a rusty nail in the back garden.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
20 Mar. 2026
-
And just a figurative trolley ride away, at the Heinz History Center, visitors can step inside the neighborhood itself, exploring original sets and props from the beloved series.—
Christopher DeRose,
CBS News,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
After their 24th loss in 34 home games, the Kings darted off to Salt Lake City for a date with the Utah Mammoth on Sunday.—
Andrew Knoll,
Daily News,
22 Mar. 2026
-
Enright, on the right side, darted toward net along the goal line and ricocheted a shot off the post into the net to cap the scoring.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
22 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Special late-night trains depart about an hour after each show on each day of the music festival.—
Howard Cohen,
Miami Herald,
26 Mar. 2026
-
From the sweet and pungent Cipolla Rossa di Tropea festival in Ricadi to chestnut fairs in the mountains, these gatherings are a lively, delicious way to connect with the region’s culture and flavors.—
Jenna Curcio,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Mar. 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
-
On the waterfront, saffron finches flit between yellow shutters and almond trees.—
Stephanie Rafanelli,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Mar. 2026
-
The American always had the engine and work rate to flit between defensive and attacking duties in a central midfield berth.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Schoolteachers are girding to address students’ questions, anger and confusion over a figure whose name and books are deeply embedded in state curriculum and celebrations.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Mar. 2026
-
Join us at the Four Seasons for a celebration where cuisine meets culture.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Royals shuffled their outfield this offseason.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
26 Mar. 2026
-
The living room has been moved to the second floor in the plans and other rooms were shuffled around, though the project’s size and general design remain roughly the same.—
Noah Lyons,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dance. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
