endear

verb en·dear \ in-ˈdir , en- \

|Updated on: 3 Aug 2018

Definition of endear

endeared; endearing; endears

transitive verb

1 obsolete : to make higher in cost, value, or estimation

2 : to cause to become beloved or admired

her generosity has endeared her to the public

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Recent Examples of endear from the Web

The club were linked with a permanent move for Kenedy, with the young Brazilian quickly endearing himself the St James' Park faithful last season.

— SI.com, "Newcastle Fans Urge Club to Sign Everton Winger as Ideal Replacement for Departed Loan Star Kenedy," 8 June 2018
An endearing Jessica John exhaustively struggles to hold the company together as the sweet-natured leading lady Belinda.

— pam kragen, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Fleet-footed 'Noises Off' shines in its fluidity, laughs," 15 Apr. 2018
Nettie, the sister who becomes an African missionary (endearing N’Jameh Camara), reveals the vastness of the world beyond rural Georgia.

— lawrence toppman, charlotteobserver, "A deeper ‘Purple’ than we’ve seen reaches Charlotte via Broadway Lights," 12 July 2018
The dress is a reflection of her: strong and sassy because of the corset, soft and feminine like the ruffles, precious like the Swarovski crystals, and endearing like the pleats.

— brooke bobb, Vogue, "Luar’s Raul Lopez Made a Wedding Dress Designed to Make You Feel Like You’re on Love ’Shrooms," 11 July 2018
Most often those behaviors are positive, encouraging, amusing and even endearing, confirming that sharing a common connection to waterways and the life in that water means sharing common behaviors that reflect respect for both fish and fishers.

— shannon tompkins, Houston Chronicle, "Boat ramps a gateway to fun or frustration," 28 June 2018
Likewise, the show's pirates are lovable rogues, at once endearing and threatening, bloodthirsty and cowardly.

— jack helbig, Chicago Reader, "After 139 years, Pirates of Penzance is still a satisfying combination of sweet and salty," 27 June 2018
Styles was led in by a lovely and all-too-brief opening set by the rising American singer Kacey Musgraves, whose special brand of open-minded country-western has endeared her to fans way outside that genre — Styles’ included.

— drew lazor, Philly.com, "Review: Harry Styles adds edge without sacrificing boy band appeal at the Wells Fargo Center," 16 June 2018
Apple is making a change that protects the security of iPhone users, but will not endear the company to national law enforcement officials.

— madeline buxton, refinery29.com, "Apple Is Moving To Increase Your iPhone's Security, But Not Everyone Is Pleased," 14 June 2018

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

First Known Use of endear

1580

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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ENDEAR Defined for Kids

endear

verb en·dear \ in-ˈdir \

Definition of endear for Students

endeared; endearing

: to make beloved or admired

His kind nature endeared him to all.

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