caress

verb

ca·ress | \ kə-ˈres

caressed; caressing; caresses

Definition of caress

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : to treat with tokens of fondness, affection, or kindness : cherish the regiment was fed and caressed at station after station— Stephen Crane

2a : to touch or stroke lightly in a loving or endearing manner She caressed the baby's cheek.

b : to touch or affect as if with a caress echoes that caress the ear

caress

noun

Definition of caress (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : an act or expression of kindness or affection : endearment when the gifts and caresses of mankind shall recompense the toils of study— Samuel Johnson

2a : a light stroking, rubbing, or patting a gentle caress of her shoulder

b : kiss She gave him a parting caress.

Other Words from caress Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about caress

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Other Words from caress

Verb

caresser noun

caressingly \ kə-ˈre-siŋ-lē

\ adverb

Noun

caressive \ kə-ˈre-siv

\ adjective

caressively adverb

Synonyms for caress

Synonyms: Verb

fondle, gentle, love, pat, pet, stroke

Examples of caress in a Sentence

Verb

She caressed the baby's cheek. A warm breeze caressed her face.

Noun

She gave the baby's cheek a gentle caress.

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Gently handled by keeper Benjamin Fan, Wally even permits a visitor to caress her supple, squamate skin. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "‘Roos, geese, and a blue-tongued lizard: Behind the scenes at San Diego Zoo Safari Park," 8 June 2019 Her natural beauty is not so much upstaged as complemented by the gorgeousness of St.-Tropez itself, which lolls across the hills behind her, caressed by impossibly blue water and gentle wind. — New York Times, "Beautiful People in European Villas: a Film Genre of Its Own," 15 May 2018 Grapes that went into this collected and focused take on nebbiolo came from two vineyards on the cooler west side of Paso Robles, one at 1,750 feet up the coastal range, the other in the Templeton Gap, caressed by marine air off the nearby Pacific. — Mike Dunne, sacbee, "Nebbiolo, the wine equivalent of winter’s woodpile," 16 Jan. 2018 Holding and caressing your partner’s face and body can take the romance into new territory. — Gigi Engle, SELF, "We Asked 14 People How to Make Kissing Even Better," 28 Mar. 2019 That other time at the Toronto Film Festival, when Cooper caressed Gaga’s shoulder before rising in a standing ovation in her honor. — Michelle Ruiz, Vogue, "Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper’s Most Tender Awards Season Moments," 25 Feb. 2019 Bella was spotted caressing the singer, whispering something to him, and at one point, the couple was even seen locking lips!! — Carolyn Twersky, Seventeen, "A Complete Timeline of Bella Hadid and The Weeknd's Relationship," 12 Oct. 2018 At the WellChild Awards last month, the prince was spotted caressing his wife's back in a similar manner. — Zoe Weiner, Glamour, "Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Were So Touchy-Feely at Today's Royal Engagement," 3 Oct. 2018 Likewise, François Messier Rheault’s caressing close-ups are intimately anonymous, the personalities beneath the popping veins only faintly differentiated. — Denis Côté, New York Times, "Review: Six Strongmen Cultivate ‘A Skin So Soft’," 5 July 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

As an earth sign, Taurus loves to indulge its five sense through luxurious fabrics, enchanting aromas, and gentle caresses. — Aliza Kelly Faragher, Allure, "What the Position of Venus in Your Birth Chart Means for You," 31 July 2018 The range of expression in his keyboard touch encompassed caresses, rumbles and crashes. — Ben Ratliff, New York Times, "Cecil Taylor, Pianist Who Defied Jazz Orthodoxy, Is Dead at 89," 6 Apr. 2018 His two dancers, who hold hands and caress, perform opposite Ryan and a female pianist, whose romance is implied through the camera angles. — Dan Allen /, NBC News, "Song, dance and LGBTQ visibility reign supreme at Eurovision Song Contest," 11 May 2018 The choreographer bestowed a healing power to each simple human touch and caress, and dancers folded protectively into their partners. — Laura Bleiberg, latimes.com, "Dance Theatre of Harlem comes full circle with stirring Broad Stage program," 22 Apr. 2018 Any type of massage in this area is going to require a light caress as to not cause pain. — Redbook, "33 Sexy Places to Touch Your Guy," 30 Oct. 2017 The range of expression in his keyboard touch encompassed caresses, rumbles, and crashes. — Ben Ratliff, BostonGlobe.com, "Cecil Taylor, 89, pianist who moved beyond jazz idiom," 7 Apr. 2018 Bruno, severely ill with malaria, barely responded to his mother's caresses. — Nicholas Kristof, Anchorage Daily News, "‘Conflict is more profitable than peace’," 26 Mar. 2018 Mother's precious caress shows grand compassion towards our sorrow. — Hartford Courant, courant.com, "Olympia Onofrio Grace," 18 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'caress.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.