as in sex
sexual union involving penetration of the vagina by the penis
if the mare doesn't get pregnant from this mating, you don't have to pay for the second try
Synonyms & Similar Words
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as in sleeping
to engage in sexual intercourse
cats conceive almost every time they mate
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of mating
Amarachi Orie, CNN Money, 14 May 2026
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
And Jack Brand, an aquatic ecologist at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, wanted to know how illicit drugs like cocaine might change fish behavior, like foraging and mating.
—Regina G. Barber, NPR, 12 May 2026
In a new study, researchers documented seven cases of remoras, a fish known for suctioning itself onto rays—as well as sharks, dolphins, boats and even divers—plunging into manta rays' cloacal orifice, an opening used for pooping, peeing and mating.
—Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 11 May 2026
Mating season generally begins in May, with peak mating in June.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 30 Apr. 2026
Hazina’s father, Utenzi, came to Lincoln Park as part of the Eastern Black Rhinoceros Species Survival Plan, a program where scientists determine ideal mating partners for endangered rhinos based on various genetic and hormonal factors, Kutilek said.
—Audrey Pachuta, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, alligator courtship begins in early April, with mating typically occurring in May and June.
—Sergio Candido, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026
Christopher Edwards, PEOPLE, 11 May 2026
The males will sometimes pursue the females for up to one week before mating even occurs.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 30 Apr. 2026
Nature’s drones are male bees that build the walls and octagonal cells of the hive and die after mating.
—Horace D. Ballard, Artforum, 22 Apr. 2026
Signs warned, caution deers mating.
—Literary Hub, 14 Apr. 2026
The cam has followed Jackie and Shadow, who have been mating since 2018, and made the birds worldwide celebrities and regular fixtures of morning TV shows.
—Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2026
But these flourishes don’t seem essential for mating.
—Cody Cottier, Scientific American, 2 Apr. 2026
Sensory receptors act as evolutionary hotspots that can either preserve recognition among members of the same species, or limit interspecies mating, playing a foundational role in Earth’s biodiversity.
—Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 2 Apr. 2026
The population of coyotes doubles in Cook County during mating and whelping season, research shows.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
Noun
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
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
And Jack Brand, an aquatic ecologist at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, wanted to know how illicit drugs like cocaine might change fish behavior, like foraging and mating.
—Regina G. Barber, NPR, 12 May 2026
In a new study, researchers documented seven cases of remoras, a fish known for suctioning itself onto rays—as well as sharks, dolphins, boats and even divers—plunging into manta rays' cloacal orifice, an opening used for pooping, peeing and mating.
—Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 11 May 2026
Mating season generally begins in May, with peak mating in June.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 30 Apr. 2026
Hazina’s father, Utenzi, came to Lincoln Park as part of the Eastern Black Rhinoceros Species Survival Plan, a program where scientists determine ideal mating partners for endangered rhinos based on various genetic and hormonal factors, Kutilek said.
—Audrey Pachuta, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, alligator courtship begins in early April, with mating typically occurring in May and June.
—Sergio Candido, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026
Verb
For the first time in 200 years, red-and-green macaws are mating in the Atlantic Forest in Brazil, according to BBC Wildlife.
—Christopher Edwards, PEOPLE, 11 May 2026
The males will sometimes pursue the females for up to one week before mating even occurs.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 30 Apr. 2026
Nature’s drones are male bees that build the walls and octagonal cells of the hive and die after mating.
—Horace D. Ballard, Artforum, 22 Apr. 2026
Signs warned, caution deers mating.
—Literary Hub, 14 Apr. 2026
The cam has followed Jackie and Shadow, who have been mating since 2018, and made the birds worldwide celebrities and regular fixtures of morning TV shows.
—Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2026
But these flourishes don’t seem essential for mating.
—Cody Cottier, Scientific American, 2 Apr. 2026
Sensory receptors act as evolutionary hotspots that can either preserve recognition among members of the same species, or limit interspecies mating, playing a foundational role in Earth’s biodiversity.
—Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 2 Apr. 2026
The population of coyotes doubles in Cook County during mating and whelping season, research shows.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mating
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
Verb
-
One of the things that makes or breaks your sleep is sleeping temperature.—
John Shumway,
CBS News,
18 May 2026
-
Cities spend millions cycling people through jails for sleeping outside while affordable housing waitlists continue to grow.—
Shianne LeClaire,
Hartford Courant,
17 May 2026
Noun
-
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
-
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
Verb
-
The findings suggest that restoration could be improved by selecting or breeding eelgrass better suited to future conditions.—
Annika Hammerschlag,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
-
Prevent mosquitos from breeding by eliminating standing water, the Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control District said.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
Criminals looking to establish online romantic relations with lonely seniors before bleeding their bank accounts dry.—
Davey Winder,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
-
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
“Mating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mating. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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