as in loving
feeling or showing love
an affectionate child who gives hugs and kisses freely
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Recent Examples of affectionate
But after a perfunctory squeeze, her father lays his head on her shoulder in a gesture of affectionate, put-on penitence.
—
Gail Sheehy, Vanity Fair, 20 Feb. 2026
Meanwhile, relationships are affectionate and passionate!
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 18 Feb. 2026
Xaven is a curious and affectionate child who brings joy to those around him.
—CBS News, 18 Feb. 2026
Their relationship, at least the one that comes through their extensive correspondence in the files released by the Justice Department, was chatty and catty, at times warm and affectionate, at other moments transactional.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for affectionate
Gail Sheehy, Vanity Fair, 20 Feb. 2026
Meanwhile, relationships are affectionate and passionate!
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 18 Feb. 2026
Xaven is a curious and affectionate child who brings joy to those around him.
—CBS News, 18 Feb. 2026
Their relationship, at least the one that comes through their extensive correspondence in the files released by the Justice Department, was chatty and catty, at times warm and affectionate, at other moments transactional.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for affectionate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for affectionate
Adjective
-
Our 100-year-old municipal golf course needs major renovations and updating; the clubhouse needs some loving care.—
Betty Resch,
Sun Sentinel,
8 Mar. 2026
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Jensen described Bridegan as controlling and money-obsessed, while portraying Gardner as a loving mother.—
Scott Butler,
Florida Times-Union,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Andrew Buss takes an adoring but critical eye to Superbad.—
Brian Boone,
Vulture,
12 Dec. 2025
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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
Cite this Entry
“Affectionate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affectionate. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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