beloved 1 of 2

adjective

bi-ˈləvd How to pronounce beloved (audio)
Definition of belovednext
as in loved
granted special treatment or attention her beloved cat sleeps in its own little bed

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

beloved

2 of 2

noun

as in darling
a person with whom one is in love searching for some incredibly romantic spot in which to ask his beloved to marry him

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of beloved
Adjective
The Cape Verde supporters also erupted in the 62nd minute when their beloved 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha denied Messi at point-blank range. — Miami Herald, 4 July 2026 Pasta salad is a beloved summer side, and this version could be our best. — Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 July 2026
Noun
But who, in this case, is the beloved? — New York Times, 21 Apr. 2026 Both helped design custom engagement rings for their beloveds. — Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 8 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for beloved
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beloved
  1. loved
  2. darling
  3. cherished
  4. sweetheart
  5. favorite
  6. dear
  7. precious
  8. lover
Adjective
  • Someone shoots themselves — not once, but three times in the face — and then this same sturdy character somehow has a long make-out session with a loved one.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 July 2026
  • The freebie comes after Swift and Kelce tied the knot at Madison Square Garden on July 3 in front of loved ones, friends, celebrities, athletes and business moguls.
    — Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 6 July 2026
Definition of loved
Noun
  • South Korea’s high-flying Kospi stock index, which is dominated by AI darlings SK Hynix, and Samsung, set a new record a few weeks ago only to suffer its fifth worst daily plunge ever days later.
    — Jason Ma, Fortune, 5 July 2026
  • All eyes will be on Messi again as Argentina aims to knock off the tournament darling Cape Verde and advance to the Round of 16.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 4 July 2026
Definition of darling
Adjective
  • And about month after he was taken, federal immigration agents swarmed Charlotte and the very neighborhood that held Omar’s cherished memories.
    — Julia Coin Updated July 2, Charlotte Observer, 2 July 2026
  • For many years, Kirby compiled annual cookbooks featuring the group's favorite recipes from that year, creating a collection that chronicles both memorable meals and cherished friendships.
    — Christina Daves, Southern Living, 1 July 2026
Definition of cherished
Noun
  • Normally, Daughtry would be back in her idyllic hometown of Willowbrook, Kansas, putting the final touches on her upcoming wedding to her longtime sweetheart, Tom (Michael Cassidy).
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 9 July 2026
  • He has been married once, to his former high school sweetheart and mother of his first child, Toya Johnson.
    — Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 6 July 2026
Definition of sweetheart
Adjective
  • Made out of 80 percent cotton, these pants will feel like your favorite pair of sweats—all while looking like one of the most fashion-forward people on your flight.
    — Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 8 July 2026
  • The hot dogs can also be ordered sans caviar and with any standard toppings — Messina suggests his favorite combo of sauerkraut and mustard — but going big is part of the appeal.
    — Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
Definition of favorite
Noun
  • Frankly, my dear, Tom Jacobsen doesn’t give a dome.
    — Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 15 July 2025
  • Black bag, my dear — her work trip sets off a chain reaction in which George’s strength, i.e., faith in their relationship, becomes his weakness.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of dear
Adjective
  • Founded in 2000, APMEX (American Precious Metals Exchange) is one of the largest online retailers of precious metals in the United States and the world.
    — Jamela Adam, USA Today, 5 July 2026
  • Argentina fans certainly owned the pre-game festivities, with the white-and-sky-blue jerseys dominating the parking lots, concession booths and precious corners of shade outside Hard Rock Stadium on Friday.
    — Matias Ocner, Miami Herald, 3 July 2026
Definition of precious
Noun
  • The move is contentious, with environmentalists supporting the removal, while tribes and horse lovers are heartbroken.
    — Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
  • Boating rules Sacramento’s local waterways are an valuable resource for boat-lovers in the area, but changing water conditions and strong currents require operators to stay alert.
    — Haley Parsley July 9, Sacbee.com, 9 July 2026
Definition of lover

Browse Nearby Words

belongs
beloved
beloveds
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Beloved.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beloved. Accessed 11 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on beloved

Nglish: Translation of beloved for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of xeric

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 10
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
banana-mirrored
Contradictory Words Quiz Pick out which word means one thing…and the opp...
See All