Thesaurus results for COURTESAN

courtesan

noun

ˈkȯr-tə-zən

Definition of courtesan

as in prostitute

a woman who engages in sexual activities for money the protagonist of the novel is a composite of several real-life courtesans who plied their trade among the decadent aristocracy

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 courtesan The movie starred Ewan McGregor as Christian, a writer who ends up sucked into Paris' Bohemian movement, and Kidman as Satine, the star performer and courtesan at the titular cabaret. — Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 6 May 2026 Directed by Tara Branham, the production stars soprano Mikayla Sager in the role of the opera’s lovestruck courtesan, Violetta, and WooYoung Yoon sings the role of Alfredo Germont. — Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2026 An age-old, decidedly protean legend of an illicit love affair between Prince Salim (who ascended the throne as Jahangir) and a courtesan named Anarkali took its most recognizable form in the 1922 Urdu-language stage play Anarkali by Imtiaz Ali Taj. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 11 Mar. 2026 Tarek Al Arian, who is best known for Arabic-language The Ladder and The Snake and Sons of Rizk franchises, is developing a drama about infamous early 20th Century French courtesan Marguerite Alibert. — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 16 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for courtesan

Recent Examples of Synonyms for courtesan

Noun

The slur, which literally means male prostitute in Spanish, could be heard at the Azteca stadium toward the end of the first half when Czech goalkeeper Matej Kovar took a goal kick.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 June 2026
Pol learns the ropes alongside fellow stripper Noel (Daniel Fernando) and savvy prostitute Bambi (Jaclyn Jose), discovering an underbelly of protection rackets, human trafficking and rampant political corruption.

— Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 1 June 2026

Definition of prostitute

Noun

This kind of inclusivity would explain Glenn Close‘s appearance — as a visiting literary scholar — at just the right moment, as well as Penélope Cruz’s showstopping cameo as Nené, a singer-slash-hooker who schools Sebastián on the then-nascent form of the modern transgender movement.

— Damon Wise, Deadline, 22 May 2026
Bemis, sold by her family in China and sent to America, worked as a domestic, not as a hooker.

— Sandra Dallas, Denver Post, 28 Mar. 2026

Definition of hooker

Browse Nearby Words

courteousness

courtesan

courtesans

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

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Synonyms of courtesan

noun

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