endearment

noun

en·​dear·​ment in-ˈdir-mənt How to pronounce endearment (audio)
Synonyms of endearmentnext
1
: a word or an act (such as a caress) expressing affection
2
: the act or process of endearing

Examples of endearment in a Sentence

two lovers whispering endearments to each other
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
With hair bleached a garish blond and her saucer eyes rolling insolently at sensitive Philip (Leslie Howard) and his endearments, Bette Davis plays W. Somerset Maugham's caustic cockney waitress at full throttle and without an iota of warmth. Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Mar. 2026 Their friendship has even inspired fans to coin their names as a term of endearment. Grace Gavilanes, PEOPLE, 29 Jan. 2026 Certainly, with $313 million being handed out to small screen applicants on November 20, Newsom’s more than doubling of California’s film and TV tax incentive program to $750 million annually earlier this year has deepened the endearment to him in the Hollywood C-suites and among the Guilds. Dominic Patten, Deadline, 1 Dec. 2025 That’s when Antone’s started to transcend beyond just being a home for the blues, and the blues just became almost like a term of endearment for soulful, authentic music here in Austin. Chris Willman, Variety, 10 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for endearment

Word History

First Known Use

1610, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of endearment was in 1610

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Endearment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/endearment. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

endearment

noun
en·​dear·​ment in-ˈdi(ə)r-mənt How to pronounce endearment (audio)
: a word or an act (as a caress) showing love or affection

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