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
Beneath the serious exchange of ideas there was romance as well—at times tragic and at other times comical. — Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2026 Shonda Rhimes and Nicholas Nardini will write and serve as showrunners on the limited series, which will tell the story of young Lady Violet’s romance with her future husband, Viscount Edmund Bridgerton. — Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026
Verb
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 Anthony Geary, the thoughtful General Hospital actor who as the complex Luke Spencer raped and romanced Genie Francis’ Laura Webber Baldwin on the way to an unprecedented eight Daytime Emmy Awards and soap opera superstardom, has died. — Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 15 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
  • The Butcher, The Baker, The Cappuccino Maker is the kind of bistro that perfectly captures the casual LA vibe while Cavatina is a more dressed up affair and perfect for date night.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
  • In recent months, there's been the Epstein affair, and, in France, scandals surrounding after-school programs are piling up.
    — Baptiste Mandrillon, Time, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of affair
Verb
  • Luca Guadagnino One of the best films of the 2010s, this drama stars Timothée Chalamet as a boy who discovers his own sexuality when he’s wooed by an older man, played by Armie Hammer.
    — Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The Oklahoma City Thunder employ the NBA’s largest operations staff from the league’s third-smallest market, and woo talent with distinctive offerings like concierge health care for players’ families.
    — Chris Park, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of woo
Noun
  • After a two-week fling and an emotional good-bye at the Bangkok airport, Lyons knew that these surreal episodes would make the foundation of her next show.
    — Georgie McKeon, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
  • The Faith Tour aims to document his brief fling with arena stardom.
    — Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of fling
Verb
  • The killing of a woman in Okinawa has sparked an outcry across Japan and inflamed long-simmering tensions over the US military presence on the island.
    — Harriet Marsden, TheWeek, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The setback sparked wide speculation that Sánchez would move forward the general election and use the momentum on the housing issue against his right-wing opponents.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of spark
Verb
  • This upscale New Orleans cocktail bar is housed in a former fire station that dates to 1903.
    — Condé Nast, cntraveler.com, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Cherry Blossoms • Ashley is still dating Josh, the human embodiment of Napoleon Dynamite’s LinkedIn profile.
    — Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 12 Oct. 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 14 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on romance

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about romance

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