as in affairs
a brief romantic relationship
an office romance that ended with hurt feelings on both sides
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Recent Examples of romances
Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 13 May 2026
People often assume that romances are the work of pure fantasy.
—Eloisa James, PEOPLE, 12 May 2026
Sarah Dessen’s sweet summer romances whisked me away and taught me about love.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 12 May 2026
There were sequels, corsets, and movie romances in an age when the genre was dying.
—Chris Feil, Vulture, 1 May 2026
Most romances begin with normal life and build to a happy ending.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 25 Apr. 2026
Whitman’s poetry and prose; Melville’s early romances of the sea, Typee, Omoo, and Mardi; three novels by Harriet Beecher Stowe, including Uncle Tom’s Cabin; and the complete tales and sketches of Nathaniel Hawthorne.
—Literary Hub, 24 Apr. 2026
In a 2022 interview, director Judd Apatow noted that the studio system works best when small projects like romances are made in addition to the superhero giants, not left out entirely.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 16 Apr. 2026
Noun
Some of my favorite things about these characters is the friendships that form separate from the romances, and that also felt ripe for TV adaptation.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 13 May 2026
People often assume that romances are the work of pure fantasy.
—Eloisa James, PEOPLE, 12 May 2026
Sarah Dessen’s sweet summer romances whisked me away and taught me about love.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 12 May 2026
There were sequels, corsets, and movie romances in an age when the genre was dying.
—Chris Feil, Vulture, 1 May 2026
Most romances begin with normal life and build to a happy ending.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 25 Apr. 2026
Whitman’s poetry and prose; Melville’s early romances of the sea, Typee, Omoo, and Mardi; three novels by Harriet Beecher Stowe, including Uncle Tom’s Cabin; and the complete tales and sketches of Nathaniel Hawthorne.
—Literary Hub, 24 Apr. 2026
In a 2022 interview, director Judd Apatow noted that the studio system works best when small projects like romances are made in addition to the superhero giants, not left out entirely.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 16 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for romances
Noun
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Today, weddings are often sprawling, multiday affairs that power an industry valued around $130 billion, according to a report by United States investment bank Jefferies.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
21 May 2026
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With regards to international affairs, there are multiple more pressing issues, including wars in Ukraine and the Middle East.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
20 May 2026
Verb
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Footage showing kneeling detainees sparks outrage from Israel’s foreign minister, rights advocates and governments in Italy, Turkey and Greece, who accuse Israel of abuse, humiliation and damaging its international standing.—
Natalie Melzer,
Los Angeles Times,
20 May 2026
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Let this moment be what finally sparks the revolution that will be televised, none of it was worth it.—
Erik Ortiz,
NBC news,
20 May 2026
Noun
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In the satirical comedy, Sacha Baron Cohen plays a successful and chauvinistic advertising CEO who lives for power and casual flings.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
12 May 2026
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Some other royal biographers believe Elizabeth also cheated, perhaps in response to Philip’s flings.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
2 May 2026
Verb
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As the President insults allies, woos dictators, and spurns long-standing commitments, Rubio has to convince his counterparts that America will not entirely abandon its friends.—
Dexter Filkins,
New Yorker,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The Caballero circus dynasty dates back to the turn of the 20th century in Guadalajara, with Adelaida Caballero was the first in the family to practice the joyous spectacle.—
Andrea Flores,
Los Angeles Times,
19 May 2026
-
Bean cultivation dates back thousands of years, and the plants have been a critical part of the human diet throughout history.—
Joe Hernandez,
NPR,
18 May 2026
Verb
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Biglari Holdings courts the MAHA movement The MAHA hire is the latest chapter in a long and turbulent saga for Biglari Holdings and its CEO Sardar Biglari, who took control of Steak ‘n Shake in 2008 when the chain was losing $100,000 a day.—
Catherina Gioino,
Fortune,
23 Apr. 2026
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The ensemble cast includes Ellie Bamber as Eleanor’s sister, Beatrice, and Ed Suter as Edward’s loyal squire Richard, who courts Beatrice amid the escalating tragedy.—
Robert Lang,
Deadline,
27 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Duncan’s daughter attends a private high school that so reliably sends its students to Stanford that even its principal isn’t above committing a bit of fraud to insure her own daughter’s place there.—
Inkoo Kang,
New Yorker,
17 May 2026
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The boys both play football, and Browne often attends their games, sharing videos on Instagram.—
Emily J. Shiffer,
PEOPLE,
16 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Romances.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/romances. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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