as in affairs
a brief romantic relationship
an office romance that ended with hurt feelings on both sides
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Recent Examples of romances
Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
Their reunion proves to be more complicated and dramatic than romantic, leading Kitty to find new friends — and romances — while building a life in the South Korean city.
—Madeleine Janz, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026
The family, not to mention a couple of romances, are threatened by the rise of Nazism.
—Rod Stafford Hagwood, Sun Sentinel, 31 Mar. 2026
The scam operations typically involve bogus investment schemes and feigned romances that collectively extort tens of billions of dollars from victims around the world every year.
—ABC News, 30 Mar. 2026
Like Days and Nights, The Bottle Factory Outing is funny and full of strange, criss-crossing romances and cultural divides.
—James Folta, Literary Hub, 25 Mar. 2026
It wasn’t supposed to feel real so much as inspirational, with all the flair and spectacle that adorn fairy tale romances — helicopter ride, cliffside proposal with blinding diamond (string quartet in tow), etc.
—Shamira Ibrahim, HollywoodReporter, 25 Mar. 2026
That all unfortunately overshadows the palpable affection Gosling and Emma Stone have in their second of three movie romances, and even Gosling’s playboy charisma gets dulled a bit.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026
The show shifts between Jane’s time under the duchess’ employ, her varied romances and the police investigation into what happened to Thomas.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 18 Mar. 2026
Noun
From Romeo and Juliet to Ennis and Jack, here’s a look at nine romances that have had the opposite of happy endings.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
Their reunion proves to be more complicated and dramatic than romantic, leading Kitty to find new friends — and romances — while building a life in the South Korean city.
—Madeleine Janz, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026
The family, not to mention a couple of romances, are threatened by the rise of Nazism.
—Rod Stafford Hagwood, Sun Sentinel, 31 Mar. 2026
The scam operations typically involve bogus investment schemes and feigned romances that collectively extort tens of billions of dollars from victims around the world every year.
—ABC News, 30 Mar. 2026
Like Days and Nights, The Bottle Factory Outing is funny and full of strange, criss-crossing romances and cultural divides.
—James Folta, Literary Hub, 25 Mar. 2026
It wasn’t supposed to feel real so much as inspirational, with all the flair and spectacle that adorn fairy tale romances — helicopter ride, cliffside proposal with blinding diamond (string quartet in tow), etc.
—Shamira Ibrahim, HollywoodReporter, 25 Mar. 2026
That all unfortunately overshadows the palpable affection Gosling and Emma Stone have in their second of three movie romances, and even Gosling’s playboy charisma gets dulled a bit.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026
The show shifts between Jane’s time under the duchess’ employ, her varied romances and the police investigation into what happened to Thomas.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 18 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for romances
Noun
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One of the biggest hurdles for elders seeking guidance when the state intervenes in their personal affairs is the opacity of the Florida law governing adult protection.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
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Despite Guillotin’s ideals, executions were messy and sometimes shambolic affairs, swarmed by bloodthirsty crowds and heckling tricoteuses.—
Lauren Collins,
New Yorker,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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This sparks all kinds of adverse reaction, mainly from McCarthy’s snotty pals and girlfriends, a tribe so fiercely materialistic and shallow as to make current Less Than Zero-types seem well rounded by comparison.—
Duane Byrge,
HollywoodReporter,
31 Mar. 2026
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The Leo moon sparks your restless desires for fun and adventure.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
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This one, written by Ryan Hurd, Jaxson Free and Daniel Ross, is going to be the soundtrack for beach flings all summer long.—
Melinda Newman,
Billboard,
16 Mar. 2026
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With the title referring to NYC’s telephone exchange system, Daniel Mann’s movie starred Taylor as Gloria Wandrous, a model who enjoys flings until falling for a married man.—
Ryan Gajewski,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
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As the President insults allies, woos dictators, and spurns long-standing commitments, Rubio has to convince his counterparts that America will not entirely abandon its friends.—
Dexter Filkins,
New Yorker,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The program dates to the 1990s.—
Kevin Fixler,
Idaho Statesman,
31 Mar. 2026
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The network on Monday revealed the end dates for the current runs of its returning series including the NCIS trio, Tracker, Ghosts, Matlock, reality shows and others.—
Erik Pedersen,
Deadline,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But the go-short approach courts big risks.—
Shawn Tully,
Fortune,
31 Jan. 2026
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The ensemble cast includes Ellie Bamber as Eleanor’s sister, Beatrice, and Ed Suter as Edward’s loyal squire Richard, who courts Beatrice amid the escalating tragedy.—
Robert Lang,
Deadline,
27 Dec. 2025
Verb
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The other uncertainty is whether Pickens attends offseason workouts or training camp without a long-term deal.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
27 Mar. 2026
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Gabriela Salgado, whose son attends Canoas Elementary, told CBS News Bay Area that the teachers have helped her son who has autism.—
Loureen Ayyoub,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Romances.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/romances. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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