as in loving
feeling or showing love
an affectionate child who gives hugs and kisses freely
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Recent Examples of affectionate
At the premiere on Sunday, Davidson and Hewitt, 29, made an affectionate appearance on the red carpet as the mom-to-be showed off her growing baby bump in a form-fitting long black dress.
—
Escher Walcott, People.com, 28 July 2025
Sunday’s episode ended with the shocking death of John Adams (Claybourne Elder), who was struck by a speeding horse carriage after sharing one last affectionate moment with Oscar on the streets of New York City.
—Andy Swift, TVLine, 27 July 2025
But, outside of the kennel, Newton is a different dog: eager, affectionate, and incredibly responsive to praise.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 July 2025
Part of the fun of Austen’s novels is her affectionate skewering of that world order.
—Brandon Taylor, Time, 17 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for affectionate
Escher Walcott, People.com, 28 July 2025
Sunday’s episode ended with the shocking death of John Adams (Claybourne Elder), who was struck by a speeding horse carriage after sharing one last affectionate moment with Oscar on the streets of New York City.
—Andy Swift, TVLine, 27 July 2025
But, outside of the kennel, Newton is a different dog: eager, affectionate, and incredibly responsive to praise.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 July 2025
Part of the fun of Austen’s novels is her affectionate skewering of that world order.
—Brandon Taylor, Time, 17 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for affectionate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for affectionate
Adjective
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Cognitive generosity is all about making the choice to interpret your partner’s intentions, behaviors and words in the most generous and loving light possible.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
10 Aug. 2025
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Thank you to all the beautiful loving and supportive fans out there for honoring him.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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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
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In some cases, like his calls to deport millions of undocumented immigrants, Mr. Trump has promised changes that many of his most adoring fans in Europe have stopped well short of.—
Jim Tankersley,
New York Times,
23 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Affectionate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affectionate. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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