as in to caress
to touch or handle in a tender or loving manner
a cat who enjoys being fondled by his loving owners
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fondle
Verb
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The pair hit the red carpet for the annual NFL Honors events in Phoenix in 2023 and in New Orleans in 2025, with Arik proudly caressing Mindy’s pregnant belly at the latter.—
Emily Krauser,
People.com,
8 Apr. 2025 -
The post included a black-and-white clip of Kelly caressing the newborn's hand.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
27 Mar. 2025
Verb
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It can be pat on the skin under the eyes, but should be used with extreme care.—
Heather Jones,
Verywell Health,
14 July 2025
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As Stanway had passed back to her, the midfielder had patted the air in the universal gesture for ‘calm it down, there’s no rush’.—
Cerys Jones,
New York Times,
10 July 2025
Verb
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Facing two strikes, Ramírez stroked a single off reliever Jared Koenig into left field, bringing home two runs.—
Steve Gorten,
Miami Herald,
6 July 2025
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In central Gaza, a boy stroked the face of his dead sister, 6-year-old Heba Abu Etiwi, in a morgue at Al Aqsa Martyrs’ Hospital.—
Melanie Lidman,
Los Angeles Times,
3 July 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Fondle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fondle. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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