as in delighted
to take part in an activity in a superficial way
She dabbled in drawing and painting but sculpture was her favorite medium.
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Recent Examples of dabbled
Like Barbie, Ken dabbled in many different careers over the decades.
—
Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026
Barlow dabbled in gymnastics and soccer in elementary school and picked up running during college to shed weight.
—Miami Herald, 25 Jan. 2026
Millender also dabbled in football growing up, playing running back and safety.
—Olivia Sayer, AJC.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Instead of soccer, Brooklyn dabbled in modeling, making his debut on the cover of Man About Town magazine.
—Alex Gurley, PEOPLE, 21 Jan. 2026
This isn't the first time Bella has dabbled in the double-braid look.
—Marci Robin, Allure, 20 Jan. 2026
Flood brought curiosity to the awkward misalignments of intimacy, and dabbled in self-implication.
—Laura Snapes, Pitchfork, 16 Jan. 2026
Levi’s also dabbled in wearable technology with Project Jacquard with Google.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 16 Jan. 2026
Finch plans to try to find ways to sneak him onto the court, which could include some time for Reid at the small forward spot, something Minnesota has dabbled with in the past.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 15 Jan. 2026
Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026
Barlow dabbled in gymnastics and soccer in elementary school and picked up running during college to shed weight.
—Miami Herald, 25 Jan. 2026
Millender also dabbled in football growing up, playing running back and safety.
—Olivia Sayer, AJC.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Instead of soccer, Brooklyn dabbled in modeling, making his debut on the cover of Man About Town magazine.
—Alex Gurley, PEOPLE, 21 Jan. 2026
This isn't the first time Bella has dabbled in the double-braid look.
—Marci Robin, Allure, 20 Jan. 2026
Flood brought curiosity to the awkward misalignments of intimacy, and dabbled in self-implication.
—Laura Snapes, Pitchfork, 16 Jan. 2026
Levi’s also dabbled in wearable technology with Project Jacquard with Google.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 16 Jan. 2026
Finch plans to try to find ways to sneak him onto the court, which could include some time for Reid at the small forward spot, something Minnesota has dabbled with in the past.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 15 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dabbled
Verb
-
However, epicureans will be delighted with the resort hotel's culinary options, including a restaurant helmed by superstar chef Eric Ripert.—
Allison Tibaldi,
USA Today,
24 Jan. 2026
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Meanwhile, some 1,600 miles away in Abilene, the owner of Seven and One Books, Arlene Kasselman, also has been delighted with the response to the phone outside her store.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Make an emotional investment As Blackstock notes, parents don’t want to be hosted or entertained.—
Halona Black,
Parents,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Family-friendly cruises offer plenty to keep the kids entertained—think rock climbing, mini golf, pickle ball, aqua parks, and more at no extra cost.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Curry, the acclaimed actor known for his roles in The Rocky Horror Picture Show and It, played serial killer and rapist Billy Flynn in the fifth and sixth seasons of the show.—
Raven Brunner,
PEOPLE,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Crowder, a key component to the Heat’s run to the 2020 NBA Finals, last played in the league last season with the Sacramento Kings.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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If guests are startled — or, more likely, amused — at your father’s being tieless and wearing sneakers, that is his problem.—
Judith Martin,
Sun Sentinel,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Though some Destiny players are not amused.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dabbled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dabbled. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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