social 1 of 2

adjective

ˈsō-shəl How to pronounce social (audio)
Definition of socialnext
1
as in outgoing
likely to seek or enjoy the company of others not exactly the social sort, our boss generally stays in his office and keeps to himself

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in colonial
tending to group with others of the same kind dogs are social animals, preferring by nature to be part of a pack

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

social

2 of 2

noun

as in tea party

Related Words

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 social
Adjective
Healthcare and social assistance added 23,000 jobs, a modest uptick for a sector that added 57,000 jobs per month last year. — Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2026 The Muslim Brotherhood, founded in 1928 in Egypt, began as a social and religious movement opposing British colonial rule. — Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026
Noun
Nowadays, the brand's socials are loaded with more photos of mountain bikes, ski goggles and foaming surf than camper vans or motorhomes. — C.c. Weiss may 05, New Atlas, 5 May 2026 In 2025, the chamber held its inaugural member celebration as a Friday afternoon member social at Nestldown. — Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 5 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for social
Recent Examples of Synonyms for social
  1. outgoing
  2. colonial
  3. tea party
  4. friendly
  5. associational
  6. tea
  7. convivial
  8. parasitic
Adjective
  • Gossips have linked Ettie, the most outgoing sister, to much younger men like Marcel Duchamp and Elie Nadelman.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Oct. 2026
  • The display’s color coverage is above average, on par with the outgoing model and close to matching the iMac's range.
    — Michael Justin Allen Sexton, PC Magazine, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of outgoing
Adjective
  • The Muslim Brotherhood, founded in 1928 in Egypt, began as a social and religious movement opposing British colonial rule.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Nations have a history of capitalizing on non-state actors—colonial enterprises like the British East India Company come to mind.
    — Simon Denny, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of colonial
Noun
  • This is the kind of show where an opulent tea party is dramatized not just by many different plates of fancy pastries, fancy wreaths and lots of furniture, but by having all that stuff carted in by a dozen or so butlers, maids and other servants.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 1 Oct. 2026
  • There is also a tea party room serving a variety of sweet treats inspired by the book, including cakes representing a white rabbit, a red rose and a mushroom.
    — K.J. Yossman, Variety, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of tea party
Adjective
  • Next-level attentiveness from friendly staff certainly helps.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026
  • But certain corners of the site hold up well, particularly bedroom storage and budget-friendly outdoor furniture.
    — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of friendly
Adjective
  • Defendants contest only that CASA has not satisfied the first requirement for such associational standing.
    — New York Times, New York Times, 2 Dec. 2025
Definition of associational
Noun
  • Suite guests unlock access to Summersalt, the resort’s swish, adults-only beach club with Burj-front sunbeds, while a refined Club Lounge offers a quiet spot for breakfasts, afternoon tea, and early-evening sundowners.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Platinum cardmembers will also receive a complimentary gift of a dark-roasted tea with any purchases, as well as an exclusive JW Anderson limited-edition work on card and bookmark package.
    — Hikmat Mohammed, ARTnews.com, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of tea
Adjective
  • The convivial staff is headed by the current GM Randy Shimabuku.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Sample The Local Beer Gwinnett County’s first brewery, visit the relaxed tasting room and convivial beer garden at Slow Pour Brewing.
    — Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of convivial
Adjective
  • River blindness is caused by a parasitic worm that’s transmitted when people are bitten repeatedly by infected blackflies.
    — Joshua R. Ehrlich, The Conversation, 1 Oct. 2026
  • The doctors prescribed her an anti-parasitic drug, an anti-inflammatory drug, and an anti-seizure medication.
    — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of parasitic

Browse Nearby Words

sociable
social
social climber
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All