dabbling 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of dabblingnext
as in entertaining

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dabbling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of dabble
as in delighting
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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Dissimilar Words

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 dabbling
Verb
Waffle House, the iconic, 24-hour Southern diner, is dabbling in another comfort food — the beloved taco. — Amy Wenk, AJC.com, 20 Aug. 2026 In the case of John, though, had one of you been dabbling in Swiss folklore at the time? — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 20 Aug. 2026 Brown is a creative and curious cook, and is constantly dabbling in cultural influences to keep things fresh. — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 31 July 2026 Thomas was first brought on as somewhat of an amateur photographer to take pictures of Julia’s outfits, but soon the pair were dabbling in affiliate revenue spaces. — Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 17 July 2026 Nature lovers shouldn’t miss taking a dip in Lake Saimaa, walking through the forest to pick berries and mushrooms, going on a seal tour to spot the endangered Saimaa ringed seal, or dabbling in canoeing, cycling, hiking, and fishing. — Susmita Baral, Travel + Leisure, 16 July 2026 Managers must move beyond dabbling, become genuinely proficient, and require AI use from their teams to secure their future. — Mark Murphy, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026 At the time, Garcia was also dabbling in fashion, making hats and clothes, and about to learn how to become a shoe cobbler. — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026 Towns isn’t the only member of the Knicks dabbling in trademarks. — Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 16 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dabbling
  1. entertaining
  2. delighting
  3. goofy
  4. playing
  5. fun
  6. amusing
  7. frivolous
  8. trifling
Adjective
  • The newer wing added additional living and entertaining spaces, including a handmade kitchen designed with GP & J Baker Interiors, a summer kitchen, a glass sunroom, and a dining area that opens through French doors to the pool terrace.
    — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The robotic races and other flashy events provide for an entertaining spectacle that can lead to easy news headlines and viral video clips.
    — Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of entertaining
Verb
  • Remmick, Jimmy Crystal and Larry Lamb share an unrelenting desire to entertain, whether performing music outside a juke joint, indulging amusement with graphic violence or delighting the British reading public with scandal and drama.
    — Daniel D'Addario, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The developers masterfully introduce these wrinkles in each world, giving players a chance to master them, while also delighting players with amazing levels, where Emi faces the unexpected.
    — Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of delighting
Adjective
  • So when Billie and Issa get an actual offer for drinks with two firefighters who come to the house, Billie puts on a goofy British accent à la Issa and turns them down, choosing a quiet night at home with her friend instead.
    — Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
  • That was therapeutic for these professional dancers who got to be silly and goofy, but confidently.
    — Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of goofy
Verb
  • The service got its name from the original Mechanical Turk, an 18th century chess-playing robot that was actually controlled by a human chess master.
    — Annie Palmer, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026
  • If your dog has any dental issues, playing any type of pulling game is not advisable.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of playing
Adjective
  • While clearing mobs of enemies can be fun, the combat really shines during the game’s many boss fights.
    — Zackery Cuevas, PC Magazine, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad provides a fun way to take in the autumn scenery, with plenty of family-friendly excursions on the schedule.
    — Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of fun
Verb
  • The podcast added its own layer of lighthearted commentary, signaling that even those closest to the Kelce family found the coverage amusing rather than newsworthy.
    — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 9 Mar. 2026
  • The podcast, which has become a cultural touchstone in its own right, signaled that even those closest to the Kelce family found the coverage amusing rather than newsworthy.
    — Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 9 Mar. 2026
Definition of amusing
Adjective
  • Maxwell, serving a 20-year sentence in a Texas federal prison camp, had argued she was selectively prosecuted as a scapegoat, but the judge dismissed those claims as frivolous.
    — Michael R. Sisak, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026
  • In the tumultuous, post-COVID global landscape, there’s something fundamentally frivolous about getting wrapped up in your own personal dramas.
    — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of frivolous
Verb
  • But that still left the less-than-trifling matter of the second tier’s title to settle, as the teams were locked together on 97 points with one game still to play.
    — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 1 May 2026
  • The rise may seem trifling, but staffers work long hours, and a caffeine budget is a necessity.
    — Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 7 Feb. 2026
Definition of trifling

Browse Nearby Words

dabbles
dabbling
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Cite this Entry

“Dabbling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dabbling. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on dabbling

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about dabbling

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