Definition of coursenext
1
as in procedure
a way of acting or proceeding the president's usual course has been to obtain advice from several people and then make up his own mind

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Relevance
2
as in class
a series of lectures on a subject a course on American history from the colonial period to the present

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3
4
as in route
the direction along which something or someone moves the river follows a southeasterly course to the ocean

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5

course

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to track
to go after or on the track of after coursing the conspirators for months, the federal agents closed in and made the arrests

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in to traverse
to make one's way through, across, or over once the threat of terrorism became apparent, fighter jets began coursing that corridor on a daily basis

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3

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 course
Noun
However, during the February board meeting, Supervisor Holly Mitchell raised financial concerns about changing course. — Jon Regardie, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026 The first discipline on the license Melgen has held since April 29, 2003, includes completing five-hour continuing medical education courses in anesthesia and risk management. — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 1 Oct. 2026
Verb
Video showed water coursing down the front of the glass case protecting the fabled painting, which was unharmed, according to a gallery press release, as were the six other canvases nearby. — News Desk, Artforum, 18 Sep. 2026 This is a sentiment that has coursed through much of Simon’s output since the early 2000s. — Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 18 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for course
Recent Examples of Synonyms for course
Noun
  • But the procedure had to be postponed because Banner refused to accept an $11,000 payment, close to what Medicare would pay for a similar procedure.
    — Bob Herman, STAT, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Stanton also reviewed Tennessee’s procedures after Lee called off a different execution in 2022 and found the state did not comply with its own lethal injection process.
    — Jeffrey Collins, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Livia’s unease informs her skepticism of politics; in linking the two, Kingsolver conflates class and culture, using the former as an excuse for what really just seems to be Livia’s constitutional conservatism.
    — Sam Worley, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Collectibles are also becoming more accepted as an alternative investing asset class.
    — Joe D'Allegro, CNBC, 4 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Months later, a report found the state hadn't complied with its own lethal injection process since its revision in 2018, resulting in executions being conducted without proper testing of the drugs.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Kretzschmar and his lawyers, however, argued in state court in Tompkins County that the process was fundamentally unfair, including because he was found responsible for an offense that was not listed in his initial set of administrative charges.
    — Shayna Jacobs, NBC news, 2 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The South Asian country meets nearly 85% of its fuel needs via imports, with the Strait of Hormuz being a key supply route before the war.
    — Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The route is expected to come into service next summer, albeit using slower trains that won’t cover the planned 316 miles.
    — Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 7 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The bright blue lagoon waters of Venice, Italy and its iconic canals stand out in this true-color satellite image.
    — Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 30 Sep. 2026
  • The authority cited current and projected lake levels, near-average precipitation across the canal’s watershed and the water-saving measures in place at the locks as reasons for the about-face.
    — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Advances in electrical power systems, tracking technology, beam control and compact high-energy lasers are making the concept increasingly practical.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 2 Oct. 2026
  • When a typical sisterly argument leads to doll Isabel getting damaged, human Ruth takes her on the road to track down La Fabricante (The Dollmaker).
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The Firebrand and the First Lady demonstrates that the early civil rights movement was built on a foundation of deep, complicated, long-term relationships which traversed the boundaries of both race and class.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The vessel will navigate south through the narrow Strait of Malacca, round the turbulent waters of the Cape of Good Hope, and traverse the open expanse of the South Atlantic before dropping anchor off Bahia’s coast.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 29 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The bet runs against the massive investment pouring into AI infrastructure, as technology companies race to secure the computing power needed to develop and run increasingly advanced AI models.
    — Jenny Lee, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Streets follows an East LA street racing crew thrust into a dangerous, high-stakes hunt across Southern California, where every turn presents a new clue and a potential disaster.
    — Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Course.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/course. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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