endear

verb

en·​dear in-ˈdir How to pronounce endear (audio)
en-
endeared; endearing; endears

transitive verb

1
: to cause to become beloved or admired
her generosity has endeared her to the public
2
obsolete : to make higher in cost, value, or estimation

Examples of endear in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web As with Trump, each attack may endear Paxton more with his base, political observers say. Lauren McGaughy, Dallas News, 18 Sep. 2023 Helmed by Alejandro Lozano, this endearing Spanish-language Christmas film intertwines three separate stories of families and friends grappling between tradition and progression, trying to discern which is most important. Sophia Scorziello, Variety, 10 Sep. 2023 As kids walk side-by-side a mentor, onlookers never fail to circle around the balcony above, curious and then endeared by the scene below them. Kylie Martin, Detroit Free Press, 2 Sep. 2023 So are the police and the media, each handling things as they’ve been taught, which doesn’t endear them to each other. Chris Vognar, Rolling Stone, 25 July 2023 The latest spate of hacks are a bad look for an industry trying to win back investor confidence after last year’s FTX debacle—and won’t endear it to the U.S. government, which is understandably concerned that crypto is bankrolling Kim Jong Un’s military. Jeff John Roberts, Fortune Crypto, 11 Sep. 2023 That made Morales invaluable in the war’s early days and endeared him to Ukrainian officials. Justin Scheck, BostonGlobe.com, 9 Sep. 2023 As depressing polling these last few weeks may indicate, however, ramping up productive capacity and making green things cheaper might be insufficient for endearing voters either to Democrats or the transformational project of decarbonization. Kate Aronoff, The New Republic, 15 Aug. 2023 When the leading man of Oliver (Martin Short)'s Broadway play dies on opening night, the endearing trio of Oliver, Mabel (Selena Gomez) and Charles (Steve Martin) sniff out foul play with the help of Loretta Durkin (Meryl Streep) who may be either friend or foe ... Jacqueline Saguin, Good Housekeeping, 13 Aug. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'endear.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1580, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of endear was in 1580

Dictionary Entries Near endear

Cite this Entry

“Endear.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/endear. Accessed 3 Oct. 2023.

Kids Definition

endear

verb
en·​dear in-ˈdi(ə)r How to pronounce endear (audio)
: to cause to become dear or beloved
her generosity has endeared her to the public

More from Merriam-Webster on endear

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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