love

love

verb

Definition of LOVE

1

to hold dear <patriots who loved their country well enough to die for it>

Synonyms appreciate, cherish, prize, treasure, value

Related Words delight (in), dig, enjoy, fancy, groove (on), like, relish, revel (in); admire, apprize, esteem, regard, respect, revere, reverence, venerate; enshrine, memorialize; adore, caress, dote (on), idolize, worship

Phrases set store by (or set store on)

Near Antonyms undervalue; abhor, abominate, despise, detest, execrate, hate, loathe; disdain, high-hat, scorn, scout, slight, sniff (at), snub; bad-mouth, belittle, cry down, decry, deprecate, depreciate, disparage, kiss off, minimize, put down, write off; abandon, forget, neglect

Antonyms disvalue

2

to feel passion, devotion, or tenderness for <a husband who loves his wife more than anything>

Synonyms adore, cherish, worship

Related Words adulate, canonize, deify, idealize, idolize; revere, reverence, venerate; delight (in), dote (on)

Phrases carry a torch for (or carry the torch for), fall for, lose one's heart (to)

Near Antonyms antagonize, displease; disapprove (of), disfavor, dislike; disgust, nauseate, repel, repulse, revolt, sicken, turn off

Antonyms abhor, abominate, despise, detest, execrate, hate, loathe

3

to take pleasure in <I love playing Frisbee in the summer rain>

Synonyms adore, delight (in), dig, fancy, get off (on), groove (on), like, love, rejoice (in), relish, revel (in), savor (also savour)

Related Words admire, appreciate, cherish, revere, venerate, worship; prize, treasure, value; devour, drink (in), eat (up), feast (on); dote (on), idolize; cotton (to), favor, prefer; indulge (in), luxuriate (in), wallow (in)

Near Antonyms abhor, abominate, detest, dislike, hate, loathe; condemn, despise, scorn

4

to touch or handle in a tender or loving manner <the baby responded to my caresses and kisses by loving me right back>

Synonyms caress, gentle, love, pat, pet, stroke

Related Words bill, canoodle, cuddle, neck, nestle, nose, nuzzle, snuggle, spoon; feel up, paw; cradle, embrace, enfold, hug; bounce, dandle; knead, massage; baby, coddle, indulge, mollycoddle, pamper, spoil