Thesaurus results for COURTS

courts 1 of 2

noun

plural of court

as in palaces

the residence of a ruler Hampton Court was the imposing residence of King Henry VIII

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as in courtyards

an open space wholly or partly enclosed (as by buildings or walls) the art museum boasts a glass-sided court that is filled with an array of greenery and sculpture

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as in tribunals

an assembly of persons for the administration of justice this court is now called to order

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as in judges

a public official having authority to decide questions of law if it please the court, I'd like to approach the bench

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courts

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of court

as in woos

to act so as to make (something) more likely you're courting disaster if you keep playing with matches

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as in dates

to go on dates that may eventually lead to marriage they courted for a year before getting married

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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 courts

Noun

In lower courts, the administration has argued that the president has total authority to renovate the White House and other federal buildings. — Lindsay Whitehurst, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026 In hip-hop and other genres, producers were using snippets of other people’s records; courts often ruled that this was a form of theft, although hip-hop fans tended to see it as righteous theft. — Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026 On the enforcement track, CFPB lawyers would file lawsuits against or pursue consent decrees — binding settlements that courts can enforce — with companies that allegedly broke the law. — Andy Kroll, ProPublica, 31 Aug. 2026 The Supreme Court once said benefits in one area cannot excuse concentration in another, and courts have followed that ever since. — Shubha Ghosh, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026 The film also scrutinizes the failures across policing, the courts and social institutions that critics say let his abuse persist largely undetected for so long. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 25 Aug. 2026 Non-essential government offices include state courts, local DMV offices, and public libraries, while public K-12 schools and many public universities also close on the day. — Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 24 Aug. 2026 Crime, courts and policing A man falsely imprisoned for 18 years was exonerated of an Orange County robbery. — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2026 Let the lower courts have more power to decide cases, and disband the Supreme Court. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 23 Aug. 2026

Verb

But while the BlackWidow courts a crowd more interested in cracking open their keyboards for DIY tweaks, the Huntsman V3 Pro TKL 8K targets gamers who want fast inputs and faster reaction times. — Zackery Cuevas, PC Magazine, 21 July 2026 One night in April when the boy playing Orlando was home sick and Jamie was waiting for Adele in their private coital chamber, Bromley kept her late to work on the scene where Orlando courts Rosalind playing Ganymede playing Rosalind. — Jonathan Franzen, New Yorker, 1 June 2026 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 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 Fox News, which courts an older linear audience, has put new focus on its reach via YouTube, X, TikTok and Instagram, among other venues. — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 15 Sep. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for courts

Noun

This location is more residential, with quieter streets and approachable local trattorias, but offers several architecturally significant palaces and one of the city's oldest churches, the 11th-century San Zan Degola.

— Irene S. Levine, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
There’s no way to describe the excitement that came with discovering great movies in the palaces that adorned Westwood’s corners.

— Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of palaces

Noun

In kitchens, courtyards, bedrooms and on the streets, women shared jokes, secrets, gestures of care and moments of freedom.

— PhotoVogue, Vogue, 29 Aug. 2026
Edi Cliff The 36 apartments are divided across six single-story buildings, which share courtyards, landscaped gardens, walking paths, and bicycle parking.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of courtyards

Noun

Based upon their replies, occupying Allied officials ranked their culpability, then tried the worst offenders — most famously in the Nuremberg trials, but also in numerous local tribunals.

— Fern Schumer Chapman, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2026
Lawmakers are prohibited by the state Constitution from being paid representatives for individuals or entities before state agencies other than judicial tribunals.

— Jim Turner, Miami Herald, 24 July 2026

Definition of tribunals

Noun

Defiant, Mladic acted bullishly during his trial and yelled at the judges when sentenced to life in prison.

— Jovana Gec, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
The couple were known in South Florida for their dinner parties at their homes in Miami Beach and Coconut Grove that gathered musicians, fellow attorneys and judges, senators, bankers, philanthropists and journalists.

— Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of judges

Verb

The iconic destination woos visitors with its rich history, stunning architecture, and a unique network of bridges and canals linking neighborhoods across the Venetian lagoon.

— Irene S. Levine, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
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

Definition of woos

Verb

While the House of Representatives has an active staff election observer program that dates to the 1980s, this year will see the first-ever Senate election observer program.

— Eric McDaniel, NPR, 28 Aug. 2026
Visitors can see the Whitall House, which dates to 1748 and served as a field hospital in the days after the battle, and the earthen remains of Fort Mercer.

— Jennifer Janofsky, The Conversation, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of dates

Noun

Skollar’s long-term goal is to raise more money to build larger enclosures for the gibbons and construct an education center for visitors.

— Jaimie Ding, Fortune, 23 Aug. 2026
Roads can become impassable, evacuation orders can change and homes or outdoor enclosures can be damaged, leaving pets vulnerable to injury or escape.

— Melanie Marshall, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of enclosures

Noun

At a hearing this week, Judge Araceli Martinez-Olguin asked the parties to identify two potential magistrates who could oversee mediation by next Wednesday.

— Gene Maddaus, Variety, 22 Aug. 2026
Now, under the law named after her, magistrates and judges in North Carolina must be stricter when setting release conditions for people charged with violent crimes.

— Ryan Oehrli, Charlotte Observer, 8 June 2026