as in loving
feeling or showing love
an affectionate child who gives hugs and kisses freely
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of affectionate
Romance will be affectionate, memorable and reassuring.
—
Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 30 Sep. 2025
But there are affectionate moments.
—Marta Balaga, Variety, 29 Sep. 2025
Denise – scrappy, sarcastic, and clever – at first was hostile towards Steven, but that passionate annoyance later evolved into teasing, affectionate companionship.
—Sarah John, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2025
In honor of the teen's milestone birthday, Hayek paid tribute to Pinault with a pair of affectionate Instagram posts.
—Edward Segarra, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for affectionate
Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 30 Sep. 2025
But there are affectionate moments.
—Marta Balaga, Variety, 29 Sep. 2025
Denise – scrappy, sarcastic, and clever – at first was hostile towards Steven, but that passionate annoyance later evolved into teasing, affectionate companionship.
—Sarah John, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2025
In honor of the teen's milestone birthday, Hayek paid tribute to Pinault with a pair of affectionate Instagram posts.
—Edward Segarra, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for affectionate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for affectionate
Adjective
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Burks is confident, freedom-loving, fashionable (and rocked a lime green suit on the red carpet), and loves to have fun.—
Lynnette Nicholas,
Essence,
13 Oct. 2025
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The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) says that in 2024 almost 3 million cats entered shelters nationwide, but not all of them were lucky enough to find new loving homes.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The Patriots’ pass coverage without Christian Gonzalez, their atrocious inside linebacker play and roller-coaster special teams, which give any adoring fan a heart attack at a moment’s notice.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
16 Sep. 2025
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Chicharito also benefitted from his market placement in LA, in his case mainly due to the proximity to an adoring Mexican fanbase throughout Southern California.—
Ian Nicholas Quillen,
Forbes.com,
20 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Affectionate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affectionate. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.
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