as in to pat
to touch or handle in a tender or loving manner
gently caressed her hair
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of caress
Those of us with a penchant for fashion have managed—not without effort—to put aside the knowing glances, caresses, and hugs to take in every detail of the look.
—
Arancha Gamo,
Glamour,
7 June 2026
Wilhelm enters the room, removes most of his clothing and gets into bed with her, slaps her, pushes her away and then caresses her face and cradles her.
—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
Grudda pushed Barkow's wheelchair through the zoo, her hands caressing her mother's shoulders or pointing out the animals.
—
ABC News,
21 Apr. 2026
And through all this, Saariaho’s elaborately beautiful orchestration scintillates, jabs, caresses, and swerves, giving all that vivid misery a sheen of lyric glamour.
—
Justin Davidson,
Vulture,
7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for caress
Arancha Gamo,
Glamour,
7 June 2026
Wilhelm enters the room, removes most of his clothing and gets into bed with her, slaps her, pushes her away and then caresses her face and cradles her.
—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
Grudda pushed Barkow's wheelchair through the zoo, her hands caressing her mother's shoulders or pointing out the animals.
—
ABC News,
21 Apr. 2026
And through all this, Saariaho’s elaborately beautiful orchestration scintillates, jabs, caresses, and swerves, giving all that vivid misery a sheen of lyric glamour.
—
Justin Davidson,
Vulture,
7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for caress
Recent Examples of Synonyms for caress
Verb
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Benji separated from Zack, patted the spot on the bed between them, and then opened up his arm as an invitation.
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Next, apply a lipstick or lip stain with a matte finish—ideally patted on with your fingers—to finish it off.
Verb
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But Argentina’s talisman stroked it wide of the net.
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The responder then bends down to gently stroke the bird before getting another idea.
Cite this Entry
“Caress.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/caress. Accessed 1 Jul. 2026.
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