romance 1 of 2

noun

rō-ˈman(t)s How to pronounce romance (audio)
Definition of romancenext
as in affair
a brief romantic relationship an office romance that ended with hurt feelings on both sides

Synonyms & Similar Words

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romance

2 of 2

verb

as in to woo

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 romance
Noun
From there, rumors emerged that the duo were dating and their romance began stealing the spotlight at several NFL games that followed. — Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 3 July 2026 Swift’s whirlwind romance with Kelce, who proposed to her last August, marked a happily ever after for the singer after some not-so-successful relationships. — Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 4 July 2026
Verb
That’s not to say nothing happens — Cyd (an excellent Jessie Pinnick) romances a nonbinary barista and bonds with her writer aunt — but the events take second fiddle to the 16-year-old’s exhilaratingly ordinary journey of self-discovery. — Rachel Simon, Vulture, 19 June 2026 In 1973, Boyd had an affair with Ronnie Wood, while Harrison did the same with Wood’s wife, and Harrison also later romanced Ringo Starr’s wife, Maureen Cox. — Radhika Seth, Vogue, 19 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for romance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for romance
  1. affair
  2. woo
  3. fling
  4. spark
  5. date
Noun
  • And now, Swift’s fans are set to descend on the city, accompanied by hordes of media who until recently had little to no concrete information about the hush-hush affair.
    — Alli Rosenbloom, CNN Money, 1 July 2026
  • My job is to report in a timely manner on crime, mass shootings, war coverage, domestic and international affairs, pop culture and more.
    — Doha Madani, NBC news, 1 July 2026
Definition of affair
Verb
  • However, Canada’s goal came from Eustáquio, the son of Portuguese parents who Herdman wooed away from that country’s U-21 team in 2019.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2026
  • Pick these up to woo the guests of your next dinner party, or just to woo yourself when the overhead light becomes too overstimulating.
    — Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 27 June 2026
Definition of woo
Noun
  • In Hawai’i, two lovers (Kenji and Jane) are drawn together for what’s supposed to be a summer fling.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 July 2026
  • Bloc Party’s next album charts the course of such a fling, one that frontman Kele Okereke experienced himself after separating from his long-term partner.
    — Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 25 June 2026
Definition of fling
Verb
  • Whereas the federal incentive may have been enough to spark interest in a range of buyers, Moody said the lesser amount will probably appeal mainly to people who already have their eye on an EV.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
  • And a red card against an American soccer star sparks debate.
    — Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 3 July 2026
Definition of spark
Verb
  • The ruins of Dungeness, a 59-room, 37,000-square-foot estate house dating to the mid-1880s, once owned by Thomas Carnegie, brother and business partner of Pittsburgh steel magnate Andrew Carnegie.
    — Jennifer Peebles, AJC.com, 7 July 2026
  • When William began dating Kate Middleton, now known as Princess Kate, their duo became a trio, with Harry accompanying the lovebirds to official engagements and glitzy ceremonies as the flame-haired third wheel.
    — Jennifer Hassan, USA Today, 6 July 2026
Definition of date

Browse Nearby Words

roly-poly
romance
romanced
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Romance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/romance. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on romance

Nglish: Translation of romance for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about romance

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