Synonyms of dances

dances 1 of 2

noun

plural of dance

as in proms

a social gathering for dancing

who are you taking to the dance on Saturday night?

Synonyms & Similar Words

• proms
• festivals
• festivities
• celebrations
• balls
• hops
• parties
• events
• cotillions
• receptions
• formals
• masquerades
• galas
• soirees
• masques
• mixers
• fetes
• blowouts
• square dances
• shindigs
• hoedowns

dances

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of dance

1

as in steps

to perform a series of usually rhythmic bodily movements to music

she can't resist dancing to her favorite rock bands

Synonyms & Similar Words

• steps
• waltzes
• shuffles
• struts
• hoofs (it)
• boogies
• prances
• foots (it)
• tap-dances
• mambos
• trips
• shakes a leg
• shimmies
• bops
• jigs
• trips the light fantastic
• gavottes
• jives
• shags
• jitterbugs
• tangos
• twists
• treads
• polkas
• fox-trots

2

as in darts

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

• darts
• flits
• flutters
• flicks
• flies
• flirts
• flickers
• scurries
• zips
• wanders
• flitters
• speeds
• sails
• sprints
• skips
• scuttles
• zooms
• roams
• scampers
• dashes
• shoots
• meanders
• zings
• skitters
• rambles
• scuds

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• floats
• hangs
• hovers

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of dances

Noun

Elmo dances, because in Sesame Street’s live stage shows, the Muppets have legs. — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 3 Oct. 2026

Court dances fell out of fashion as monarchs fell from power. — Sophie Landres, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026

Their dances have been technically sound but lacking personality. — Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 30 Sep. 2026

The dance that Joey and I got to do last year in the [season 34] finale was one of my top favorite dances ever, ever, ever. — Mckinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 29 Sep. 2026

Now the church itself hosted dances and houseboat parties and sponsored a youth softball team of which Nell Fisher was the manager. — Tom Drury, Harpers Magazine, 29 Sep. 2026

There are Oompa-Loompas of various sizes, including Rusty Goffe, from the 1971 film, who perform Oompa-Loompa dances and sing Oompa-Loompa songs and are seen offstage pushing buttons and pulling levers. — Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026

And because the show has so many dances to squeeze in on one night, co-host Alfonso Ribeiro announced that the last judge to provide feedback has to sum up the performance in one word for interest of time. — Liza Esquibias, USA Today, 22 Sep. 2026

But Khan also wanted a viewer to be able to track the emotional journey of Maya and her best friend Anjali (Priyanka Kedia) through the dances alone. — Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 18 Sep. 2026

Verb

First, the sequence pays homage to the nightclub scene in Gilda (1946), in which Rita Hayworth dances in a long shot amid ogling male patrons, tracked by a concentrated spotlight. — Harmon Siegel, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026

Noa dances viciously, slamming her body raw in front of the stage. — Robert Rubsam, New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2026

Jennifer Corey dances the Viennese Waltz with student Michael Moore Thursday, March 12, 2015, at the Denver Turnverein in Denver, Colorado. — Christa Swanson, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026

The Dancing Queen dances like no one is watching, however, all eyes are on her. — Abigail Dollins, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Aug. 2026

Alvarez dances with Frankie Grande, Ariana’s brother, during her Brooklyn concert, receiving the family blessing. — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 20 July 2026

This book about a couple in complex crisis creates a sense of political alienation that The Drama frankly dances around. — Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 2 July 2026

Listen to the supple bass line, which dances throughout the song as its own character. — Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 18 June 2026

The truffle vinaigrette drizzled atop imparts an earthy aroma and complexity that dances with the lobster and wagyu’s profiles. — Aly Walansky, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026