as in sex
sexual union involving penetration of the vagina by the penis
the act of coitus is the natural method by which conception occurs
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Recent Examples of coitus
What this means for me, practically speaking, is that the director wants a close-up of my face as my character Joe is deep in dissociative reverie mid-coitus.
—
Sophie Ansari, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025
When coitus occurs, it’s scored by unctuous music.
—Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2025
Paul, upon learning of their coitus, does not take it well.
—Esther Zuckerman, IndieWire, 19 May 2025
Adding to these racial fetish undertones is a Black family servant whose coitus with Lucy’s soon-to-be sister-in-law (a white woman with box braids) is also constantly on display, leaving her to pleasure herself when he’s called away.
—Nicholas Bell, SPIN, 31 July 2024
On occasion, the coitus took place at the volunteers’ homes.
—Gretchen Reynolds, Anchorage Daily News, 16 Feb. 2023
One thing leads to another — just because returning screenwriter Reid Carolin says so — and Mike’s performance for Max ends with the two of them in bed, after an apparent act of off-camera coitus.
—Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post, 9 Feb. 2023
And there is a conversation about the necessity of being flexible during bunk-bed coitus.
—Darren Franich, EW.com, 7 Sep. 2022
Chris Jericho had to introduce two new members of the Jericho Appreciation Society (Sammy and Tay), narrate near-coitus between Sammy and Tay, explain what a Suzuki Gun was and promote a six-man tag team match all in one promo.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes, 16 June 2022
Sophie Ansari, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025
When coitus occurs, it’s scored by unctuous music.
—Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2025
Paul, upon learning of their coitus, does not take it well.
—Esther Zuckerman, IndieWire, 19 May 2025
Adding to these racial fetish undertones is a Black family servant whose coitus with Lucy’s soon-to-be sister-in-law (a white woman with box braids) is also constantly on display, leaving her to pleasure herself when he’s called away.
—Nicholas Bell, SPIN, 31 July 2024
On occasion, the coitus took place at the volunteers’ homes.
—Gretchen Reynolds, Anchorage Daily News, 16 Feb. 2023
One thing leads to another — just because returning screenwriter Reid Carolin says so — and Mike’s performance for Max ends with the two of them in bed, after an apparent act of off-camera coitus.
—Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post, 9 Feb. 2023
And there is a conversation about the necessity of being flexible during bunk-bed coitus.
—Darren Franich, EW.com, 7 Sep. 2022
Chris Jericho had to introduce two new members of the Jericho Appreciation Society (Sammy and Tay), narrate near-coitus between Sammy and Tay, explain what a Suzuki Gun was and promote a six-man tag team match all in one promo.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes, 16 June 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for coitus
Noun
-
The findings, from 1,592 U.S. citizens of different ages, sexes, races and incomes, were collected between Dec. 20 and Dec. 22.—
Nicholas Rice,
PEOPLE,
28 Dec. 2025
-
On his first day in office, Mr. Trump signed an executive order that declared the federal government would recognize only two immutable sexes: male and female.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
18 Dec. 2025
Noun
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Wilzig told the Miami Herald in a 2002 profile that intercourse and naked bodies were beautiful and natural, and no one should be embarrassed by talking about the topic.—
Madeleine Marr,
Miami Herald,
6 Apr. 2026
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With Tim, Martha hadn’t often come during intercourse.—
Cassandra Neyenesch,
New Yorker,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Even amputated mating arms behaved the same way, responding to progesterone but not to other molecules.—
Cody Cottier,
Scientific American,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Are octopuses selective in their mating?—
Jacek Krywko,
ArsTechnica,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
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For families Little children are catered to with cots, high chairs, roll-away beds, family swimming time in the pool, and the guest relations team offers movie nights for children in the room, soft toys, games and baby-sitting.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 Apr. 2026
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Enjoy relations with friends, groups, partners, siblings and neighbors.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
4 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Coitus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/coitus. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
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