as in loving
feeling or showing love
an affectionate child who gives hugs and kisses freely
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Recent Examples of affectionate
An affectionate throwback to overly earnest TV movies (and a knowing send-up of over-the-top bad-girl flicks), this film marks the feature debut as writer-director for comedian John Early, who also stars.
—
Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
With his own future still unconfirmed, Guardiola could be seen pumping his fists in celebration when Rayan Cherki slipped in the third goal and, after the final whistle, there was a victory walk around the pitch and a lot of affectionate waving and kiss-blowing.
—Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 14 May 2026
Despite a mentality forged by military service, her abuelo is kind and affectionate, while her straight-shooting abuela gives her the explanation she’s long been denied for her mother’s abandonment, without sugar-coating it.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2026
Though not everyone will jump on board, aficionados of the panoply of Nightmare on Halloween the 13th knock-offs – and the diminishing returns that followed – will know the references and get the affectionate, tongue-in-cheek humor.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for affectionate
Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
With his own future still unconfirmed, Guardiola could be seen pumping his fists in celebration when Rayan Cherki slipped in the third goal and, after the final whistle, there was a victory walk around the pitch and a lot of affectionate waving and kiss-blowing.
—Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 14 May 2026
Despite a mentality forged by military service, her abuelo is kind and affectionate, while her straight-shooting abuela gives her the explanation she’s long been denied for her mother’s abandonment, without sugar-coating it.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2026
Though not everyone will jump on board, aficionados of the panoply of Nightmare on Halloween the 13th knock-offs – and the diminishing returns that followed – will know the references and get the affectionate, tongue-in-cheek humor.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for affectionate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for affectionate
Adjective
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Even in the most loving new relationship, your partner is building her own connection with your children, not replacing their mother.—
Jann Blackstone,
Boston Herald,
31 May 2026
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Marisol's sisters describe her as a devoted mother and a deeply loving person.—
Briseida Holguin,
CBS News,
31 May 2026
Adjective
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Mom and daughter share adoring glances at an event to celebrate International Women's Day in London.—
Kate Hogan,
PEOPLE,
21 Apr. 2026
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But a falling out with former owner Glen Taylor kept him from returning to his ‘Sota to give adoring fans another chance to thank him for 14 seasons with No. 21 on his back and Minnesota in his heart.—
Jon Krawczynski,
New York Times,
13 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Affectionate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affectionate. Accessed 3 Jun. 2026.
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