After realizing copulation, the female praying mantis usually devours the male.
Source: tatoeba (2234026)
Copulation
/kɒp.jəˈleɪ.ʃən/
Synonyms for "copulation" (147 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (30)
Noun(20 words)
coitussexual intercoursecarnal knowledgecoitionintercoursematingsexual congresssexual relationactionaphrodisiaassbangbarney-muggingbeef injectionbird matingbonkingboom-boomchesterfield rugbycommercecommixtion
Strong matches (44)
Noun(33 words)
congressconjunctionconnectionconsummationconversationcopulatingcouplingcuntfuckfooling aboutfooling aroundfornicationfrigfuckfuckingfucksfucky-fuckyfunny businesshanky-pankyhorizontal dancinghorizontal hula
Show 13 more words
horizontal jogginghorizontal mambohorizontal refreshmentshot beef injectionhow's your fatherhumphumpa humpaintimacyintimate relationsintromissionjig-jigjiggery-pokeryjiggy-jiggy
Related words (73)
Noun(52 words)
joininglaylegoverlovelovemakinglustmakingmaking whoopeemarital embracemeat injectionmonkey businessmountingnetflix and chillnookieold hatpareuniapenetrationphysical lovepipeplaying aroundplough
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: coitus, sexual intercourse, carnal knowledge, coition, intercourse.
- Sentence evidence is available for copulation, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from wiktionary, wordnet, opengloss, derived_reverse, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "copulation".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "copulation"
Keep "copulation" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "copulation" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "copulation", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "copulation" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
6 entriesMore specific
4 entriesconsensual copulationexternal copulationheterosexual copulationinternal copulation
Collocations
6 entriescopulation durationcopulation frequencyexternal copulationinternal copulationmating behaviorsexual intercourse
Inflections
1 entriesDerivations
3 entriesSample sentences
6 total sentences available.
The woman therefore at one copulation conceived. And she arose and went her way: and putting off the apparel which she had taken, put on the garments of her widowhood.
Source: tatoeba (7873238)
The female mantis devours the male after copulation.
Source: tatoeba (10979472)
I quite correctly defined logical copulation by means [of] the copula of inclusion.
Source: wiktionary
Showing 4 of 6 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "copulation"?
Closest matches include coitus, sexual intercourse, carnal knowledge, coition, intercourse.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "copulation"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.