dance 1 of 2

noun

Definition of dancenext
as in prom
a social gathering for dancing who are you taking to the dance on Saturday night?

Synonyms & Similar Words

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dance

2 of 2

verb

ˈdan(t)s How to pronounce dance (audio)
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

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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
Noun
Housed in an imposing Art Nouveau building in the heart of Old Havana, the school combines rigorous dance training with academic classes in math, Spanish, history and science. — ABC News, 29 Sep. 2026 The video, which was released in February this year, features Swift and Gleeson as two unlucky in love singles who eventually find their way to one another, taking part in a dance contest on the way. — K.j. Yossman, Variety, 29 Sep. 2026
Verb
But dancers take the stage too because when Cubans play music, there will assuredly be dancing. — Scott Hocker, TheWeek, 30 Sep. 2026 Instead, everyone in the main room is dancing under a glistening disco ball to the syncopations of Riva, a three-piece comprised of a psychedelic saxophonist, drummer and keyboardist. — Mary Carreon, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dance
  1. prom
  2. step
  3. dart
  4. festival
  5. waltz
  6. flit
  7. celebration
  8. shuffle
Noun
  • Maryuri Chavez Carranza Elder Chavez Carranza believed his last year of high school would consist of preparations for his graduation, prom and planning for his future.
    — Rebecca Gelpi-Ufret, ABC News, 29 Sep. 2026
  • The music video, an homage to the prom night episode of Laguna Beach, opens with Morris, 36, and Cavallari getting ready for prom as Branch pulls up in a Mojito!
    — Jack Irvin, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of prom
Verb
  • The combination of Rykman's extended jams, psychedelic light show and joyous energy made the concert feel less like simply watching a band perform and more like temporarily stepping away for the normal day-to-day.
    — Steve Spaleta, Space.com, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Charlotte Gainsbourg stepped onto the runway to sing, adding an intimate finish to the monumental setting.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of step
Verb
  • The sheriff's office says Loki darted towards this large bush not far from the house.
    — Marissa Perlman, CBS News, 28 Sep. 2026
  • On Thursday night, the Falcons saw Bowman dart around the field, throw his body into ball carriers and get his hands on passes.
    — Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of dart
Noun
  • For 70 years, the festival has brought really the best of the year in cinema to audiences.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Couples who match through the program are offered vouchers for subsequent dates, access to follow-up activities tied to festivals around Seoul, as well as an online and offline community where participants can stay connected.
    — Matthew Tan, CNBC, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of festival
Verb
  • My cat decided to waltz in front of the phone's camera during the VO2 Max test at one point, and the test continued despite the brief obstruction.
    — Andrew Gebhart, PC Magazine, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Sixteen local candidates, all of them incumbent Democrats, are unopposed and will waltz into office without being challenged.
    — Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of waltz
Verb
  • The ends flitted out and folded centimeters above her brows, blending between the relaxed waves that moved over her shoulders.
    — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Guests flitted around, in and out of racks filled with Skims’s big apparel and underwear hitters, and making use of the Skims photobooth.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of flit
Noun
  • At a small celebration dinner in San Francisco after the deal closed, Basu Trivedi was stunned by their choice of lodging.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2026
  • However, the holiday season tends to see a spike each year as people congregate for parties, celebrations and gatherings.
    — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of celebration
Verb
  • Ivey and his partner persuaded the Crockfords dealer to rotate the high-value cards 180 degrees before shuffling them back into the pack, citing some obscure superstition as justification.
    — Kit Chellel, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2026
  • In the midst of the rush to finish my syllabi and opening week assignments, as my husband shuffled the kids into their sneakers and Crocs and the car for one last back-to-school outing, everything stopped.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of shuffle

Phrases Containing dance

Browse Nearby Words

dam (up)
dance
dance attendance (upon)
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Cite this Entry

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

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More from Merriam-Webster on dance

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about dance

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