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

Painted ladies and swallowtail butterflies flitted about in the late afternoon sunshine, and a gentle, caressing breeze carried the blended fragrances of pine, cedar, sage and fresh oxygen. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Column: Sit-and-see adventure at Santa Rosa Mountains," 7 Sep. 2019 As our host Bevy Smith caressed the crowd with her playful humor and Jidenna himself performed hits from his latest album, the guests relished in the unprecedented celebration of Black creatives. — Nandi Howard, Essence, "Standout Fashion Moments From The ESSENCE Best In Black Fashion Awards Red Carpet," 5 Sep. 2019 Sporting glitter eye shadow, this Emcee salaciously caresses the harp. — Celia Wren, Washington Post, "In this Kit Kat Klub, there’s a little less sleaze but just enough sizzle," 4 Sep. 2019 The women inside its walls are like ornaments of the Emperor’s absolute power, to be caressed or cast out at his whim, but they are also defended by women, an elite warrior guard bedecked in satin armor. — Karen D'souza, The Mercury News, "Review: Swashbuckling world premiere ‘House of Joy’ hits and misses at Cal Shakes," 19 Aug. 2019 The notes that come out of his career never assail your ears; the caress them. — Chuck Yarborough, cleveland.com, "Santana and the Doobie Brothers bring a little rock ‘n’ roll history to Blossom Music Center," 8 Aug. 2019 The differences suggest separate identities, but the two sparsely bearded men and the dark-haired women who accompany them, now walking in step, now caressing them, now moving apart, look uncannily alike. — Karen Wilkin, WSJ, "‘Ragnar Kjartansson: Death Is Elsewhere’ Review: A Mesmeric Midsummer Night," 10 July 2019 So Karen allows a few more people to visit: a pair of tween-age sisters, including one who interviews Karen for her school paper about the difference between dogs and cats; a family with a disabled child, who tenderly caresses Bagel. — Andrea Sachs, Washington Post, "Meet Sunglass Cat, an Instagram star with an eye-opening message of acceptance," 11 June 2019 Guests describe chairs upholstered in leopard print, a twice life-sized sculpture of a naked African warrior, and a framed picture of a woman holding an opium pipe and caressing a lion skin. — Ben Widdicombe, Town & Country, "The Secret History of Jeffrey Epstein's New York Townhouse," 10 July 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

President Barack Obama’s conciliatory caresses, we were told, had only emboldened the Iranians. — Steve Chapman, chicagotribune.com, "Column: Trump’s clueless Iran policy lurches the U.S. toward war," 19 June 2019 The feeling brought on, not by tenderness, as from caress, but by the body having no choice but to accommodate pain by dulling it into an impossible, radiating pleasure. — Viet Thanh Nguyen, Time, "On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous," 6 June 2019 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

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.