endearing
adjective
en·dear·ing
in-ˈdir-iŋ 
en-
: arousing feelings of affection or admiration
an endearing habit/quality
… the character he plays … is one of the most endearing on television …—
Frank Owen
Frank Owen
Synonyms
Examples of endearing in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Related Stories Hell of a Summer The Bottom Line A shaky but endearing debut.
—Jourdain Searles, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Sep. 2023
McMahon is a controversial figure to be sure, but there was something endearing about the fact that WWE could truly call itself a family-run business for all these years.
—Joe Otterson, Variety, 12 Sep. 2023
The neighborhood’s home to an endearing quilt of folks.
—Matt Wake | Mwake@al.com, al, 14 Aug. 2023
The Mongolian sojourn had an endearing strangeness: A delegation of Vatican cardinals and bishops found themselves in a lush valley for a local festival featuring wrestlers, feats of archery and throat singing.
—Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 6 Sep. 2023
Their heads are especially endearing—a sloping mullet of feathers and a brow that gives them a perpetually studious expression.
—Jennie Rothenberg Gritz, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Sep. 2023
Their cluelessness is endearing, with poignancy quietly surfacing as the outsiders respond to the serenity and gentle pace of the place and the rewards of pitching in on simple chores.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Sep. 2023
The supporting cast isn’t much more imaginative or endearing.
—Reid McCarter, WIRED, 22 Aug. 2023
While Joanne and Helen’s relationship drives the plot of Pugh’s eclectic yet endearing tale, at the heart of the film is the importance of female camaraderie.
—Shayeza Walid, Variety, 17 Aug. 2023
See More
Jourdain Searles, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Sep. 2023
McMahon is a controversial figure to be sure, but there was something endearing about the fact that WWE could truly call itself a family-run business for all these years.
—Joe Otterson, Variety, 12 Sep. 2023
The neighborhood’s home to an endearing quilt of folks.
—Matt Wake | Mwake@al.com, al, 14 Aug. 2023
The Mongolian sojourn had an endearing strangeness: A delegation of Vatican cardinals and bishops found themselves in a lush valley for a local festival featuring wrestlers, feats of archery and throat singing.
—Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 6 Sep. 2023
Their heads are especially endearing—a sloping mullet of feathers and a brow that gives them a perpetually studious expression.
—Jennie Rothenberg Gritz, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Sep. 2023
Their cluelessness is endearing, with poignancy quietly surfacing as the outsiders respond to the serenity and gentle pace of the place and the rewards of pitching in on simple chores.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Sep. 2023
The supporting cast isn’t much more imaginative or endearing.
—Reid McCarter, WIRED, 22 Aug. 2023
While Joanne and Helen’s relationship drives the plot of Pugh’s eclectic yet endearing tale, at the heart of the film is the importance of female camaraderie.
—Shayeza Walid, Variety, 17 Aug. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'endearing.' 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
1766, in the meaning defined above
Articles Related to endearing
Dictionary Entries Near endearing
Cite this Entry
“Endearing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/endearing. Accessed 23 Sep. 2023.
Copy Citation
More from Merriam-Webster on endearing
Britannica English: Translation of endearing for Arabic Speakers
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share