as in sex
sexual union involving penetration of the vagina by the penis
female pandas are receptive to copulation for a short time once a year
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Recent Examples of copulation
In California, a jury in 2023 found Weinstein guilty of three counts — forcible rape, forcible oral copulation and penetration by foreign object — against Jane Doe 1.
—
Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 15 May 2026
Berera was initially charged with committing a lewd act on a child and oral copulation of a person under 16, court records show, but those counts were dropped through the plea deal.
—Nate Gartrell, Sacbee.com, 30 Apr. 2026
Berera was initially charged with committing a lewd act on a child and oral copulation of a person under 16, court records show, but those counts were dropped through the plea deal.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 29 Apr. 2026
Alexander William Schecter, 26, was charged with kidnapping to commit another crime, first-degree residential robbery, two counts of forcible oral copulation and forcible rape, all of which are felonies, according to a news release shared by the DA's Office.
—Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
On Thursday, he was charged with one count of kidnapping to commit another crime, one count of first degree residential robbery, two counts of forcible oral copulation and one count of rape, according to the criminal complaint.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2026
The Valley overlaps geographically with the hippie homeland of San Francisco, Berkeley, and their environs, and there’s long been cross-pollination, if not orgiastic copulation, between the two spheres.
—Literary Hub, 21 Nov. 2025
Brian Peck pleaded no contest to a charge of oral copulation with a minor under 16 as well as a charge of performing a lewd act with a 14- or 15-year-old.
—Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 5 Nov. 2025
Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 15 May 2026
Berera was initially charged with committing a lewd act on a child and oral copulation of a person under 16, court records show, but those counts were dropped through the plea deal.
—Nate Gartrell, Sacbee.com, 30 Apr. 2026
Berera was initially charged with committing a lewd act on a child and oral copulation of a person under 16, court records show, but those counts were dropped through the plea deal.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 29 Apr. 2026
Alexander William Schecter, 26, was charged with kidnapping to commit another crime, first-degree residential robbery, two counts of forcible oral copulation and forcible rape, all of which are felonies, according to a news release shared by the DA's Office.
—Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
On Thursday, he was charged with one count of kidnapping to commit another crime, one count of first degree residential robbery, two counts of forcible oral copulation and one count of rape, according to the criminal complaint.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2026
The Valley overlaps geographically with the hippie homeland of San Francisco, Berkeley, and their environs, and there’s long been cross-pollination, if not orgiastic copulation, between the two spheres.
—Literary Hub, 21 Nov. 2025
Brian Peck pleaded no contest to a charge of oral copulation with a minor under 16 as well as a charge of performing a lewd act with a 14- or 15-year-old.
—Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 5 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for copulation
Noun
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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
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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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Lovelace O’Neal was transfixed by the idea of how much water the massive creatures would displace when engaging in intercourse.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
15 May 2026
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Common symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection include irritation, swelling and a thick white discharge, along with a burning sensation – especially during urination or intercourse.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
12 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The onset of mating season this spring has escalated tensions, with the males’ loud early morning mating calls particularly aggravating residents.—
Amarachi Orie,
CNN Money,
14 May 2026
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Now is the time to visit for snake fans, as the reptiles are in the midst of their annual mating ritual, which begins with thousands of male garter snakes emerging from their underground winter dens.—
Kelli Bender,
PEOPLE,
14 May 2026
Noun
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Criminals looking to establish online romantic relations with lonely seniors before bleeding their bank accounts dry.—
Davey Winder,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
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The leaders of both nations met for talks and said progress was made during the trip to stabilize relations, although Beijing showed little interest in getting more involved in the war with Iran.—
Grace Miserocchi,
Chicago Tribune,
16 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Copulation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/copulation. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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